Council Blasts Fire Department Over Response to Brush Danger
Los Angeles City Council members lashed out at L.A. City Fire Marshal Jimmy Hill on Tuesday over what some said was the Fire Department’s lackluster response to the potential for post-El Nino brush fires.
“I’m in awe at the Fire Department’s lack of energy and initiative,” said Councilwoman Laura Chick, contending that the department should have asked for extra resources in anticipation of this fall’s fire season.
But Hill, during a tense appearance before the council, said that it is “a monumental task” to make sure that 180,000 hillside properties meet new city requirements for brush clearance within 200 feet.
Hill said later that he had asked a year ago for three additional inspectors to supplement the brush clearance staff of seven, but the request had not been granted.
In sweeps earlier this year, fire inspectors notified more than 20,000 property owners that they were in violation of the brush clearance ordinance--5,000 more than were notified last year.
Of those notified, about 10,000 are still out of compliance, Hill said.
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