LAFD Could Become Sole Provider Of Emergency Medical Services At Dodger Stadium
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — The Los Angeles Fire Department could soon become the sole provider of emergency medical services at Dodger Stadium.
LAFD Battalion Chief Armando Hogan says the department was approached by the team.
"Last year alone, we responded about 67 different times to different incidents there," Hogan told KNX1070's Margaret Carrero.
Medical Services At Dodger Stadium
Hogan says the department is currently awaiting word from the city attorney about whether such an agreement would violate the city charter, which prohibits the city from engaging in commercial enterprise.
"It speaks to the possibility of it being perceived as though you're competing with a private business," he said.
Committee Chair Mitch Englander says he likes the idea, but considering the department's response time issues, he wants to ensure local residents are priority number one.
"If in fact it all works out, we should look at exploring this with other vendors," Englander said.
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The issue will likely go before the committee next week and if all pans out, Englander says he'll stand behind the LAFD.
"The most important thing outside of legalities, is to make sure that we're not taking any business away from any other local areas," he said.
Hogan says the department has preemptively reached an agreement with the firefighters union to flesh out staffing – in the event an agreement is reached.
If approved, the department would bring in off-duty firefighters and utilize their reserve ambulances.
"The most important thing outside of legalities, is to make sure that we're not taking any business away from any other local areas."
