The Los Angeles City Council has approved a motion for the addition of a second fire engine at Fire Station 7 in Panorama City. The Los Angeles Fire Department was instructed to report back within 30 days on the status of bringing the additional fire engine to the local station.
Twelve LA City Council members approved the motion introduced by Councilmember Imelda Padilla (District 6) in November to help expand public safety and emergency services to constituents in her district. Fire Station 7 serves Arleta, North Hills and Panorama City.
The addition of a new fire engine at the local fire station will increase the “capacity for fire and emergency response” in District 6, and help improve overall emergency response times across the Northeast San Fernando Valley, Padilla said in a statement.
Padilla hopes to eventually establish an additional fire station in her district.
“By bringing a new fire station to District 6 in the long term, and a new fire truck in the short term, we will increase equitable access to resources that support the welfare of all of our constituents,” said Padilla.
“Anytime we add resources it’s great for the community and the Los Angeles Fire Department,” Captain Adam VanGerpen, public information officer for the LAFD, told the San Fernando Valley Sun/el Sol.
In October, the City Council authorized the acceptance of a $7,752,582 Staffing For Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) federal grant, which is being used to fund the additional fire engine for Fire Station 7. The grant is also anticipated to fund the 12 additional staff to operate it.
Constituents in nearby District 7 are hoping for expanded fire services as well. Last October, the City Council unanimously approved a motion authorizing the acceptance of a parcel of land – located at 16300 Foothill Blvd. – to be used as the future site of a new fire station in Sylmar.