On November 22nd, we visited the fire department to understand the rumors around the failing command within the department. We spoke to a firefighter there, who informed us of the various issues relating to the Fire Department and how they were struggling with funding, faulty equipment and a lack of staff. Following that story, a new leadership team was appointed to the Fire Department, in order to make a difference. And they did, for a while. We saw an influx in new fire department colleagues and quick responses to calls across the county. However, the novelty has worn off. It seems the Fire Department has gone back to it’s old ways, with slow responses, a lack of staff and an increased risk on the public. Slow Response Times During the past week, we have seen two incidents where the Fire Department didn’t manage to respond in a reasonable time. The first one of these incidents relates to the Interstate Vehicle Fire. For context, a vehicle was on fire at the side of the interstate, with a male trapped inside. Shaw News was first on scene, and managed to fight some of the blaze with our on-board fire extinguishers. Quickly afterwards, an officer from the Los Santos Police Department arrived on scene, and began to help with the incident. However, the Fire Department didn’t respond to the call for over ten minutes. Upon arriving at the scene with a fire engine, the fire was promptly put out. However, the accompanying ambulance didn’t arrive on scene for a further 10 minutes. Overall, an RA didn’t arrive on the scene for an approx. 20 minutes from the time of the 911 call. Failing To Respond To A Suicide Call Following the Interstate Vehicle Fire, both the LSPD and the FD received a 911 call regarding a male on a bridge in Ganton. The male was struggling with his mental health, and threatening to jump and commit suicide. Upon arrival at the scene, we saw detectives and officers from the Los Santos Police Department, negotiating with the male. Shortly afterwards, Priest Ramirez arrived, and managed to talk the male down to safety. However, for the duration of the incident, the fire department didn’t respond once. The police were left to help with the male, and to provide support following the incident. Failure To Fulfill Their Duties Overall, the Fire Department have failed to fulfill their duties. With a lack of response to incidents and an overall slow response time, something needs to change. The public relies on the Los Santos Fire Department for both fire and medical incidents. Without an efficient, pro-active fire department, people become at risk, very quickly. Being a vital department in the city, we should see; Without these three main elements, the department shows signs of failing, like it is currently. Official Statements During our investigation into the Los Santos Fire Department and their actions, we requested statements from several people within the city. Those of who, require or have required the Los Santos Fire Department. Sergeant Whitelock, Los Santos Police Department As one of LSPDs representatives, I’d like to share with you the mutual feeling of frustration between me and other Law Enforcement Officers on Fire Department’s presence, or lack of thereof. As we all know, emergency services are meant to be prepared on the clock for any calls, but that doesn’t seem to be the case with the Fire Department, as their personnel have showed slow response times, or no response at all for that matter during high risk situations that we, as The Los Santos Police Department simply do not possess the proper equipment to deal with. The FD Personnel that do respond, often are simply not enough to do the job, as it requires the presence of multiple of them, therefore, subjecting said personnel to pressure, having them deal with With complex situations on their own with no back up. Lack of unity is going to come at a hefty price, as this field is no easy one. As you’ve mentioned in the examples above, the Fire Department personnel seem to be lacking discipline, letting only select, devoted individuals from the department handle all the heavy lifting, thus, setting a bad example, we honestly wish to see improvements, but if the current state that the FD is in currently continues, We don’t see anything changing anytime soon. Kind Regards,Chase WhitelockLos Santos Police Department. Carlos Marquez, Local Resident As a lifelong resident of Los Santos, I feel compelled to address a growing concern shared by many in our community about the Fire Department’s operations—or, more often, the lack thereof. Living in a city as fast-paced and unpredictable as Los Santos, we count on emergency services to be there when it matters most. Yet, time and again, the Fire Department seems to fall short. Whether it’s delayed response times or outright no-shows during critical incidents, it’s become clear that something needs to change. I’ve witnessed first responders from the LSPD and EMS stepping up under incredible pressure, often without the specialized resources only the Fire Department can provide. It’s unfair to everyone involved—our emergency crews and, most importantly, the citizens whose lives hang in the balance. When firefighters do show up, it’s often a skeleton crew, overwhelmed by the scale of the emergencies they face. This doesn’t just leave them overworked and vulnerable; it also risks the safety of everyone relying on them. For a team meant to exemplify coordination and bravery, the lack of cohesion within their ranks is disheartening. It’s especially frustrating to see a few dedicated individuals carrying the load while others seem content to coast. This imbalance creates division and sets a poor precedent for an organization that should operate as a unified front. We need to see real accountability and reform in the Fire Department. Until that happens, I fear the safety and trust of Los Santos residents will remain in jeopardy. Let’s hope they rise to the challenge—for all our sakes.
