Los Angeles firefighters will remain on duty for an additional shift during red flag weather warnings in a mandatory protocol instituted after top fire officials failed to pre-deploy engines to Pacific Palisades in advance of the devastating Jan. 7 fire. Mayor Karen Bass’ announcement came after the Fire Department released a long-awaited after-action report finding that firefighters were hampered by an ineffective process for recalling them back to work, as well as poor communication, inexperienced leadership and a lack of resources.
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A Times investigation published a week after the fire found that fire officials did not pre-deploy any engines to the Palisades before the flames erupted, despite warnings about extreme weather. The officials also did not require firefighters to stay for an additional shift. In preparing for the winds, officials chose to staff up only five of more than 40 engines available to supplement the regular firefighting force. According to the after-action report, the firefighters who voluntarily returned could staff only three engines.
