Times Investigation

Life on the line: 911 breakdowns at LAFD

By Robert J. Lopez, Kate Linthicum and Ben Welsh

Con­tro­versy over the Los Angeles Fire De­part­ment’s re­sponse times erup­ted in March after The Times re­por­ted that fire of­fi­cials ad­mit­ted pub­lish­ing in­cor­rect statistics that over­stated how fast resc­uers arrive at emer­gencies.

The Times has fol­lowed up with a series of in­vest­ig­at­ive stor­ies and a data ana­lys­is that un­covered deep-rooted prob­lems in a safety net mil­lions of Angel­enos rely on when they dial 911.

Top stories

How it started

Politics lights a fire under LAFD

Communication breakdown

Injured, ailing wait as dispatchers unable to send help

Dispatch delays

Operators fail speed standards, even in most severe cases

CPR too slow

Dispatchers waste time in life-threatening cardiac arrests

Maps, graphics and open source

Map: How fast is LAFD where you live?

Map: How fast is LAFD where you live?
Open source: Introducing Quiet L.A.

Open source: Introducing Quiet L.A.
Case study: The line that help didn't cross

Case study: The line that help didn't cross
The Times contributes LAFD fire stations to OpenStreetMap

The Times contributes LAFD fire stations to OpenStreetMap
Timeline: Complete guide to the LAFD data controversy

Timeline: Complete guide to the LAFD data controversy
Explainer: Inside our 911 response time analysis

Explainer: Inside our 911 response time analysis
Timeline: The fitful progress of 911 at LAFD

Timeline: The fitful progress of 911 at LAFD
Download: Open-source maps of California's emergency medical agencies

Download: Open-source maps of California's emergency medical agencies

Complete coverage

LAFD chief to shift firefighters from trucks to ambulances

LAFD chief to shift firefighters from trucks to ambulances

By Ben Welsh, Kate Linthicum and Robert J. Lopez, Los Angeles Times
L.A. Fire Department overhaul measures delayed

L.A. Fire Department overhaul measures delayed

By Ben Welsh, Los Angeles Times
LAFD might replace private rescue crews for Dodgers games

LAFD might replace private rescue crews for Dodgers games

By Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times
L.A. Fire Department takes step toward linking 911 system to nearby systems

L.A. Fire Department takes step toward linking 911 system to nearby systems

By Ben Welsh and Kate Linthicum
L.A. mayoral candidate Greuel vows to expand police and fire ranks

L.A. mayoral candidate Greuel vows to expand police and fire ranks

By Maeve Reston, Los Angeles Times
Fire Department is the hot topic at mayoral candidates forum

Fire Department is the hot topic at mayoral candidates forum

By Kate Linthicum
LAFD probes 15-minute response to teen's death

LAFD probes 15-minute response to teen's death

By Ann M. Simmons and Robert Lopez
Flawed data stall California's 911 upgrades

Flawed data stall California's 911 upgrades

By Ben Welsh and Robert J. Lopez
L.A. county, LAFD fire chiefs discuss regional dispatch network

L.A. county, LAFD fire chiefs discuss regional dispatch network

By Robert J. Lopez and Ben Welsh
LAFD 911 center concerns will be addressed, Villaraigosa says

LAFD 911 center concerns will be addressed, Villaraigosa says

By Kate Linthicum, Ben Welsh and Robert J. Lopez
L.A. seeks controversial overhaul at LAFD's troubled 911 call center

L.A. seeks controversial overhaul at LAFD's troubled 911 call center

By Robert J. Lopez, Ben Welsh and Kate Linthicum
Inside LAFD's new 911 dispatch center

Inside LAFD's new 911 dispatch center

The Times contributes LAFD fire stations to OpenStreetMap

The Times contributes LAFD fire stations to OpenStreetMap

By Ben Welsh
L.A. fire chief blames slower response times on budget cuts

L.A. fire chief blames slower response times on budget cuts

By Kate Linthicum, Robert J. Lopez and Ben Welsh
Once on fast track, L.A. fire chief faces tough scrutiny

Once on fast track, L.A. fire chief faces tough scrutiny

By Kate Linthicum
LAFD looks at ways to speed up emergency response times

LAFD looks at ways to speed up emergency response times

By Robert J. Lopez and Ben Welsh, Los Angeles Times
LAFD too slow in addressing response time issues, 2 councilmen say

LAFD too slow in addressing response time issues, 2 councilmen say

By Robert J. Lopez, Kate Linthicum and Ben Welsh
More LAFD firehouses needed in hill areas, councilman says

More LAFD firehouses needed in hill areas, councilman says

By Kate Linthicum, Ben Welsh and Robert J. Lopez
L.A. Now Live: Discussion of LAFD task force report

L.A. Now Live: Discussion of LAFD task force report

By Kimi Yoshino, Robert J. Lopez and Ben Welsh
Investigation of LAFD response times finds deeper flaws

Investigation of LAFD response times finds deeper flaws

By Ben Welsh, Robert J. Lopez and Kate Linthicum
Hangout: Times reporters discuss analysis of LAFD response times

Hangout: Times reporters discuss analysis of LAFD response times

By Shelby Grad, Kate Linthicum and Ben Welsh
Open source: Introducing Quiet L.A.

Open source: Introducing Quiet L.A.

By Ben Welsh
Map: How fast is LAFD where you live?

Map: How fast is LAFD where you live?

By Ben Welsh
Medical response time lags in many pricey L.A. neighborhoods

Medical response time lags in many pricey L.A. neighborhoods

By Kate Linthicum, Ben Welsh and Robert J. Lopez
L.A. city, county officials seek review of 911 dispatches

L.A. city, county officials seek review of 911 dispatches

By Kate Linthicum
Delayed 911 response a matter of geography and jurisdictions

Delayed 911 response a matter of geography and jurisdictions

By Robert J. Lopez, Ben Welsh and Kate Linthicum
Case study: The line that help didn't cross

Case study: The line that help didn't cross

By Ben Welsh
Explainer: Inside our 911 response time analysis

Explainer: Inside our 911 response time analysis

By Ben Welsh
Years after ill-fated call, L.A. Fire Department's 911 flaws remain

Years after ill-fated call, L.A. Fire Department's 911 flaws remain

By Ben Welsh, Kate Linthicum and Robert J. Lopez
Timeline: The fitful progress of 911 at LAFD

Timeline: The fitful progress of 911 at LAFD

By Ben Welsh, Robert J. Lopez and Kate Linthicum
Officials to probe CPR delays involving LAFD 911 calls

Officials to probe CPR delays involving LAFD 911 calls

By Kate Linthicum, Robert J. Lopez and Ben Welsh
LAFD dispatchers waste time getting 911 callers to start CPR

LAFD dispatchers waste time getting 911 callers to start CPR

By Robert J. Lopez, Ben Welsh and Kate Linthicum
New task force unveiled to address LAFD response times

New task force unveiled to address LAFD response times

By Kate Linthicum
Expert says L.A. Fire Dept. didn't give help to fix response data

Expert says L.A. Fire Dept. didn't give help to fix response data

By Robert J. Lopez, Kate Linthicum and Ben Welsh
L.A. Fire Department's data expert steps down after less than 3 months

L.A. Fire Department's data expert steps down after less than 3 months

By Kate Linthicum, Ben Welsh and Robert J. Lopez
L.A. City Council OKs $7.2-billion budget

L.A. City Council OKs $7.2-billion budget

By Kate Linthicum
Audit finds LAFD takes longer on medical calls since budget cuts

Audit finds LAFD takes longer on medical calls since budget cuts

By Kate Linthicum, Robert J. Lopez and Ben Welsh
L.A. Now Live: Discussion of LAFD lagging dispatch times

L.A. Now Live: Discussion of LAFD lagging dispatch times

By Shelby Grad, Robert J. Lopez and Ben Welsh
Dispatch lag slows LAFD call response

Dispatch lag slows LAFD call response

By Ben Welsh, Robert J. Lopez and Kate Linthicum
Restore Fire Department funding, L.A. councilman urges

Restore Fire Department funding, L.A. councilman urges

By Kate Linthicum and Robert J. Lopez
City Council committee grills L.A. fire chief

City Council committee grills L.A. fire chief

By Kate Linthicum and Robert J. Lopez
Mayor seeks new LAFD ambulances, expert to review response times

Mayor seeks new LAFD ambulances, expert to review response times

By Kate Linthicum
Mayor orders LAFD to release emergency response information

Mayor orders LAFD to release emergency response information

By Kate Linthicum and Robert J. Lopez
LAFD stops providing medical response updates

LAFD stops providing medical response updates

By Andrew Blankstein and Robert J. Lopez
L.A. fire chief offers new explanation of response times

L.A. fire chief offers new explanation of response times

By Kate Linthicum and Robert J. Lopez
L.A. Fire Department troubles are a Beutner mayoral campaign theme

L.A. Fire Department troubles are a Beutner mayoral campaign theme

By Kate Linthicum
Injured and ailing people wait as dispatch problems slow LAFD

Injured and ailing people wait as dispatch problems slow LAFD

By Kate Linthicum and Robert J. Lopez
Weary L.A. firefighters speak up

Weary L.A. firefighters speak up

By Steve Lopez
L.A. council members call for accurate Fire Department figures

L.A. council members call for accurate Fire Department figures

By Kate Linthicum, Robert J. Lopez and David Zahniser
Editorial: Burned by the L.A. Fire Dept.

Editorial: Burned by the L.A. Fire Dept.

By Los Angeles Times editorial page
Angry Villaraigosa slams firefighter union boss

Angry Villaraigosa slams firefighter union boss

By Robert J. Lopez and Kate Linthicum
L.A. fire chief: Response-time changes should have been disclosed

L.A. fire chief: Response-time changes should have been disclosed

By Robert Lopez and Kate Linthicum
Politics lights a fire under LAFD

Politics lights a fire under LAFD

By Kate Linthicum

Primary sources

Document: LAFD chief's report on ambulance plan

Document: LAFD chief's report on ambulance plan
LAFD chief's statement on aid agreement

LAFD chief's statement on aid agreement
Controller letter demands more LAFD data

Controller letter demands more LAFD data
County fire chief's letter on automatic aid

County fire chief's letter on automatic aid
Harbor Gateway called a 'valley of death'

Harbor Gateway called a 'valley of death'
Mayoral aide's letter to City Attorney on LAFD data

Mayoral aide's letter to City Attorney on LAFD data
Judgement gives LAFD dispatchers backpay

Judgement gives LAFD dispatchers backpay
Aid proposal between LAFD and county from 1979

Aid proposal between LAFD and county from 1979
Mayor orders LAFD to release emergency data

Mayor orders LAFD to release emergency data
Internal LAFD reports on proposed staffing change

Internal LAFD reports on proposed staffing change
Aid agreement between LAFD and county from 1996

Aid agreement between LAFD and county from 1996
LAFD letter regarding data privacy

LAFD letter regarding data privacy
2002 audit of LAFD response times

2002 audit of LAFD response times
LAFD chief's statement on CPR report

LAFD chief's statement on CPR report
Mayor's response to LAFD data discrepancies

Mayor's response to LAFD data discrepancies
Past LAFD deployment plan proposals

Past LAFD deployment plan proposals
LAFD report on CPR delays

LAFD report on CPR delays
LAFD cancels radio watch

LAFD cancels radio watch
LAFD documents on 'quick launch' program

LAFD documents on 'quick launch' program
LAFD cardiac arrest dispatch protocol

LAFD cardiac arrest dispatch protocol
Councilman Zine Orders LAFD Review

Councilman Zine Orders LAFD Review
LAFD data analysis task force report

LAFD data analysis task force report
Councilman's motion on LAFD data staffing

Councilman's motion on LAFD data staffing
Firefighters union criticizes Mayor Villaraigosa

Firefighters union criticizes Mayor Villaraigosa
Hooks family's lawsuit against LAFD

Hooks family's lawsuit against LAFD
Mayor's response to LAFD data discrepancies

Mayor's response to LAFD data discrepancies
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If you have a tip about the LAFD for Times reporters, email it to robert.lopez@latimes.com, kate.linthicum@latimes.com and ben.welsh@latimes.com