Los Angeles firefighters delivered more than 225,000 petition signatures to the City Clerk on Tuesday in an effort to place a proposed half-cent sales tax initiative on the November ballot aimed at expanding staffing, upgrading equipment and building new fire stations.
Members of United Firefighters of Los Angeles City gathered Tuesday at the Piper Technical Center in downtown Los Angeles, where a fire truck was on-site as firefighters unloaded boxes of signatures collected since January, organizers said.
The proposed measure would establish a half-cent sales tax to raise funds for the Los Angeles Fire Department to hire additional firefighters and paramedics, modernize aging infrastructure and improve emergency response capabilities.
“Due to decades of underinvestment, the LAFD currently operates with the same number of firefighters as in the 1960s, six fewer stations, and five times the call load,” organizers said in a statement. “According to national standards, emergency resources are expected to arrive at nearly all 911 calls within four minutes. Current LAFD response times are almost double this recommended average to save lives during structure fires and medical emergencies.”
Organizers said the department is also facing aging infrastructure, with dozens of fire stations more than 50 years old, including several that are more than 80 years old.
“The LAFD is half the size needed to keep LA safe,” organizers said. “That’s why LAFD firefighters and paramedics are appealing directly to voters to provide funding for staffing, facilities, and equipment.”
The Los Angeles Fire Department shows off the first all-electric fire engine in North America during Fire Service Day, Saturday, May 14, 2022, at Fire Station 82 in Hollywood. The new electric truck was custom-made for the department. Above, Fire Chief Kristin M. Crowley drove the new engine from the LAFD Museum to Station 82. (Photo by Rick McClure/Contributing Photographer)
Backers of the measure said the proposed sales tax would be used for hiring personnel, upgrading equipment and improving emergency response infrastructure.
The signature submission marked the beginning of a review process by the City Clerk and the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk to verify whether enough valid signatures have been collected to qualify the measure for the Nov. 3 ballot.
If sufficient signatures are confirmed, the initiative will move to the Los Angeles City Council, which is expected to place the measure before voters in the November general election.
Union officials said they expect the result of the signature verification in 30 days, followed by a decision by the City Council between June 12 and July 1. A decision should be reached by City Council members prior to the start of their summer recess.
Union officials said they believe L.A. voters will overwhelmingly support the tax proposal as Angelenos understand the department is understaffed and needs more resources in light of the January 2025 wildfires. The union is also confident in the language of the proposed language, which will establish transparency and guidelines on how that money can be used.
UFLAC officials noted they expect the new funding source to enhance budgeting for the LAFD, allowing the department to better plan for hiring, repair or build stations, and purchase equipment.
“Today was an important next step in finally funding the LAFD. We have the same number of firefighters in 2026 as we had in the 1960s, with six fewer fire stations and five times the emergency call load,” UFLAC President Doug Coates said.
“This measure is about investing in the LAFD so that we have enough firefighters, paramedics, fire stations, and equipment to get to residents in an emergency when just a few seconds can mean the difference between life and death,” Coates added.