Laura Chick Finds Efficiencies at LAFD
Recommends reassigning duties to civilianse

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CHICK FINDS OPPORTUNITIES FOR EFFICIENCIES AT FIRE DISPATCH

AUDIT RECOMMENDS USING MIX OF SWORN AND CIVILIAN CALL TAKERS

SAVINGS TO TAXPAYERS IN THE MILLIONS

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April 24, 2006

Los Angeles – Citing an estimated annual savings of between $2.3 million to $3.8 million, City Controller Laura Chick has released an audit recommending taking 62 sworn firefighters who are 911 dispatch call takers, and 18 who are assigned to special duty, and redeploying them in the field reassigning their duties to civilians.

"As a City Councilmember and Chair of the Council’s Public Safety Committee in the 1990's, I am acutely aware of the arguments that were raised against hiring more civilians as call takers for 911. However, my audit found that most of the key arguments raised over ten years ago are no longer relevant. Further, the eight benchmark cities that were used as comparisons in a 1995 LAFD study to argue against civilianization have all successfully converted to civilian call takers," wrote Chick in a letter to Mayor Villaraigosa and the City Council.

The Chick audit studied eight other fire departments in the nation and found that each has successfully used civilians in their emergency call centers. The benchmark partners are Los Angeles County, Orange County, Chicago, Atlanta,. Dade County, Phoenix, San Jose and Houston.

"The Fire Commission should immediately begin to plan an implementation strategy with the Mayor, City Council and key stakeholders to address hiring civilians as call takers at the LAFD’s dispatch. The audit also recommends that the Fire Commission direct the LAFD to conduct the appropriate studies to begin the process of converting 62 of the 75 call taker positions to civilians. This prudent approach... a mix of civilian and sworn firefighters... will ensure the highest quality service while saving taxpayer dollars and redeploying firefighters and paramedics to our neighborhoods," said Chick.

The full report, as well as all audits by the Controller’s Office, can be accessed at www.lacity.org/ctr.

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Laura Chick,
LA Controller
controller.chick@lacity.org