[6] The LAFD is responsible for approximately four million people who live in the agency's 471 square miles (1,220 km2) jurisdiction.

It was a volunteer firefighting force with an Amoskeag fire engine and a hose jumper (cart).

In the spring of 1874, the fire company asked the Los Angeles City Council to purchase horses to pull the engine.

[11] In 1878, a third fire company was formed by the residents in the neighborhood of Sixth Street and Park.

The final volunteer company was formed in the fall of 1883 in the Morris Vineyard area.

"[11] All of these companies remained in service until February 1, 1886, when the present paid fire department came into existence.

[12] The city had also installed 194 fire-alarm boxes allowing civilians to sound the alarm if a fire was spotted.

660 fire hydrants were placed throughout the city, giving firefighters access to a reliable water source.

[14] Since 1978 the LAFD has provided emergency medical and fire suppression services to the city of San Fernando by contract.

[15] In responses to the 2020 pandemic, the LAFD has helped to administer the COVID-19 vaccine to residents from Los Angeles.

The “triples” used by the LAFD have a direct drive, dual centrifuge main pump rated at 1,500 GPM at 150 psi with a 10-foot lift through a 6-inch suction.

These apparatus are staffed by four members, including a captain who is the company commander, an engineer responsible for driving, maintaining and operating the pump, and two firefighters.

A number of triples in the LAFD are also paramedic assessment companies – meaning they include a firefighter/paramedic as part of the crew.

[31] The Port of Los Angeles is under the jurisdiction of the LAFD which operates 5 fireboats to provide fire protection for ships and dockside structures.

It is capable of pumping water at 9,000 US gal/min (34,000 L/min) and carries 550 US gallons (2,082 L) of foam solution for petrochemical fires.

[36] The Los Angeles Fire Department is the founding member of one of California's eight FEMA Urban Search and Rescue Task Forces.

[37] California Task Force 1 (CA-TF1) is available to respond to natural or man-made disasters around the country and world and assist with search and rescue, medical support, damage assessment and communications.

These Assistant Chiefs staff marked Dodge RAM SUVs and respond to major incidents - Command 22 for Operations Central Bureau (OCB) and Command 42 of Operations Valley Bureau (OVB).

EITs drive the Dodge RAM SUV to the scenes and act as an assistant to the Battalion Chief.

Note that stations with a truck and a 200 series engine (pump) will usually respond the two apparatus together as a lightforce.

[21] The only full time exception is Fire Station 9 where Engine 209 is fully staffed.

They are used either for short term relief IE when a frontline apparatus is shut down for repair or maintenance.

Five are property of the State of California OES but are staffed as needed and maintained by the LAFD.