LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles’ new Fire Chief Anthony C. Marrone is lifelong Angeleno who became a firefighter because he wanted to give back to the community he grew up in.
He has spent the last 37 years as a member of the Los Angeles County Fire Department, including serving as the interim chief for the last 9 months before his promotion. He is now ready to take on the head role in an official capacity.
“I wanted a rewarding career, and I have to tell you I have certainly succeeded for myself,” Marrone said.
The new fire chief joined “Inside the Issues” host Alex Cohen to talk about the upcoming fire season and what the department is going to do to increase diversity under his stewardship.
California experienced an increased amount of rain, which helped end the years-long drought. However, it also creates opportunities for bigger wildfires during the drier months.
“We know that rain is good, but it’s also going to present challenges,” Marrone said. “We have a large grass crop out there, and we know that grass crop can lead to wildfires transmitting from roads into established brush areas.”
The fire chief says this means it is more important now for residents and communities to prepare for this season’s brush fires.
To help people prepare, Marrone advises everyone to visit the fire department’s website and download the “Ready! Set! Go!” brochure.
“Harden your home and create a defensible space before fire season arrives, and have an evacuation plan and implement that plan before an evacuation order comes during a brush fire,” he said.
Marrone’s appointment to the role was met with opposition from organizations like the Women’s Fire League, LA County Stentorians and the Los Bomberos de LA County.
The groups argued the Board of Supervisors failed to conduct a wide enough search to find candidates from diverse backgrounds.
Marrone says he met with all the stakeholder groups shortly after being appointed, adding that he has committed to these organizations that he will address their concerns.
“The LA County Fire Department’s going to do even more to make sure that we recruit, hire and promote women and people of color to have a fire department… that more clearly represents the residents and the communities that we serve.” Marrone said.
The focus now for Marrone is expanding the recruitment and hiring search not just in LA County, but also nationwide to find candidates from diverse backgrounds for leadership positions.
Another area of concern Marrone has to address as the new chief is the mental health of the department’s firefighters. The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation estimates between 100 and 200 firefighters die by suicide every year.
Former Chief Daryl Osby created a peer support group and a wellness division in the fire department to help address firefighters and support staff’s mental health.
“Post-traumatic stress injury is real,” Marrone said. “It’s no longer a disorder. It’s an injury that you can heal from, but you can only heal from it by getting help.”
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