LAFD's culture of obedience runs deep. Firefighters say they fear retaliation from bosses
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As firefighter after firefighter testified about their actions during the Lachman fire, a clear theme emerged — the Los Angeles Fire Department’s culture of absolute obedience.One told a boss about red hot coals and smoldering ash.Another warned that warm weather increased the risk of a flareup.
After taking their concerns to superiors, they gave up — it was not their job to make decisions like when to pack up their hoses and leave a fire that had mostly been put out.Days later, that fire reignited into the Palisades fire, destroying thousands of homes and leaving a dozen people dead.“I could’ve possibly prevented a lot of stuff if I would’ve been more outspoken, right?” firefighter Scott Pike testified in a lawsuit brought by Palisades fire victims.“But that’s not the right thing to do.
The captains don’t want to hear that.”Pike’s attitude reflects deep-rooted norms within the LAFD not to question orders — or to push back against higher-ups when something feels wrong, or even dangerous — because doing so could invite retribution.Several current and former firefighters told The Times that it’s often easier to keep their mouths shut than deal with the ramifications of speaking up.
California Scott Pike was assigned to pick up the hoses from the Lachman fire.But he said he saw about five areas that were still smoking.Similar to law enforcement, fire departments are paramilitary organizations handling fast-moving, life-and-death emergencies where there’s often no time for debate.
What’s more, firefighters typically work 24-hour shifts and live with their crew at the station, cooking, eating, sleeping and exercising together.Being ostracized isn’t just losing the camaraderie of co-workers — it’s losing a family.
The culture of silence within the LAFD is common to fire departments around the country, said Laura Kavanagh, former head of the ...