Damaged engines didn't affect Palisades firefight. But they point to a larger problem

The Los Angeles Fire Department faced severe limitations during the Palisades fire due to a significant number of inoperable fire engines, which highlighted a critical deficit in maintenance and resources. Many engines had been out of service for extended periods, despite having the potential for deployment. The department's heavy reliance on an aging fleet, where over 60% of engines exceeded their recommended lifespan, has raised concerns about firefighting capacity and resource allocation. Fire Chief Kristin Crowley acknowledged these issues, suggesting that better management could have changed the fire's outcome.

This situation underscores the city's reliance on an aging fleet, with over 60% of fire engines needing replacement, hampering effective firefighting during crisis situations.

Fire Chief Kristin Crowley indicated that the department's decisions during the fire were limited by the number of non-operational engines, highlighting faults in resource management.

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