Los Angeles City Fire Department - Response Guidelines

Response Guidelines

When dispatching emergencies, the Los Angeles Fire Department Operations Control Division (OCD) Fire Dispatch uses two main assignment categories when dispatching fire companies: Category "A" Assignment; Category "B" Assignment. A third catgeory, a Category "C" Assignment is only used in special incidents, such as brush fires or aircraft emergencies. If the incident becomes large-scale, more fire companies are added at the discretion of the incident commander. Alarm Levels, such as a 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, etc. Alarm are not used per se. Any smaller incident does not receive an assignment category. Any fire where six fire companies or over are operating at the scene is considered a "Greater Alarm Structure Fire". Any fire where over fifteen fire companies are operating at the scene is considered a "Major Emergency Structure Fire".

A Category "A" Assignment is the basic structure fire assignment for fires in single-family residences and small structures. It comprises a Task Force (1 Engine Company, 1 Pump Engine Company, 1 Truck Company), 2 additional Engine Companies (1 for Command Post), 1 Rescue Ambulance, 1 Paramedic Rescue Ambulance, 2 Battalion Chiefs, and 1 EMS Commander. A Category "B" Assignment is the standard structure fire assignment for fires in larger structures than single-family homes, such as high-rises, hospitals, nursing homes, large commercial buildings, warehouses, factories, subway MetroRail stations, etc. It comprises 2 Task Forces (1 Engine Company, 1 Pump Engine Company, 1 Truck Company each), 2 additional Engine Companies (1 for Command Post), 1 Rescue Ambulance, 1 Paramedic Rescue Ambulance, 2 Battalion Chiefs, and 1 EMS Commander. A Squad Company, a Specialized Haz-Mat. Unit is also assigned. Depending on the size and type of incident, additional resources, whether they be Task Forces, Light Forces (1 Pump Engine Company and 1 Truck Company), single Engine Companies, single Truck Companies, Rescue/Paramedic Rescue Ambulances, Squad Companies (originally known as Salvage Companies) or other special units, Battalion Chiefs, Division Chiefs, EMS Commanders, or Arson Units.

• Category "A" Assignment:
  • 2 Engines(1 as Command Post Company)
  • 1 Light Force
  • 1 ALS Rescue Ambulance
  • 1 BLS Rescue Ambulance
  • 1 Battalion Chief
  • 1 EMS Captain
• Category "B" Assignment:
  • 3 Engines(1 as Command Post Company)
  • 2 Light Forces
  • 1 ALS Rescue Ambulance
  • 1 BLS Rescue Ambulance
  • 1 Squad
  • 1 Battalion Chief
  • 1 EMS Captain