How many firefighters respond on each vehicle? Why?

As our commitment to provide the best service, all of the Beverly Hills Fire Department's emergency units are "staffed" with set minimums. Our fire engines are staffed with 4 firefighting personnel and the truck with 5; historically called "4-man engines and 5-man trucks" throughout the industry. Our command vehicle is staffed with the battalion chief and engineer as his staff assistant. Our paramedic rescues are staffed with two firefighter/paramedics.

Each member has specific responsibilities, and therefore, carries a significant percentage of efficiency for that engine or truck company. Trying to run a call with any less than the "full compliment" of personnel would sacrifice not only efficiency, but safety as well. Therefore, we never will respond any unit that is short of it's full compliment of personnel.

Since the inception of our department, these minimum staffing levels are written into our contract, or Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), with the City. These high standards of staffing are part of what allow us to attain the highest rating of Class One.