L.A. Officials Mulling LAFD Staffing Changes To Cut Costs
On Tuesday, Los Angeles city officials are scheduled to discuss a proposal that would move Fire Department dispatchers from 24-hour shifts to a regular eight-hour workday, which could save the city $3.2 million in overtime pay. The proposal is backed by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa (D), the City Council and Fire Chief Brian Cummings, but the city's call center commander warned in June that implementing the staffing changes before an overhaul of the center's computer system is complete could jeopardize public safety.
- "L.A. Seeks Controversial Overhaul at LAFD's Troubled 911 Call Center" (Lopez et al., Los Angeles Times, 12/10).