Over the past several years, the Department has aggressively requested additional resources and personnel through the budgetary process. Next fiscal year]]> webmaster@lafd.info (Douglas L. Barry) frontpage Thu, 12 Jun 2008 08:00:00 +0000 http://portal.lafd.info/component/content/article/32-to-all-members/66-trust-responsibility-and-accountability http://portal.lafd.info/component/content/article/32-to-all-members/66-trust-responsibility-and-accountability

Over the past eleven months, I have visited many work locations to meet with the fine men and women of this Department. I have delivered my expectations and have actively listened to your ideas, concerns, and recommendations. One of the most resonating topics is the need to reinforce the responsibility and accountability at the Officers level. Allowing Officers to make decisions and the accountability associated with their decisions is one of the tenets of leadership and ultimately enhances public service.

Addressing issues at the lowest level is an effective way of preventing small issues from developing into larger ones for our organization. Empowering Officers at the lowest level to make decisions and take appropriate action is the first step in successfully resolving issues. With this responsibility comes accountability, as does the consequences of your action or inaction. Decision-making is a complex process; very few decisions are made with absolute certainty because complete knowledge about all the alternatives is seldom possible. Thus, every decision involves a certain amount of risk. I understand and accept the risks associated with your decisions and support you. Your decisions, however, should be well founded in the Core Values and Service Statements of our Department.

At the forefront of my priorities is to restore the trust at all levels within our organization.
Trust is a relationship of reliance, and being able to rely on your chain of command for guidance, support, and direction is critical to the success of the LAFD. When an employee goes around the chain of command because they sense it as a more effective way to get the job done, a perception is given that their direct supervisor is an ineffective link in the chain of command. I ask you to look for opportunities to enhance our chain of command, resist the urge for officers to micro-manage and establish effective communication within your command. I support the chain of command and look for leadership in all our Officers. I expect the day-to-day operations to be handled through the systems we have in place and that it is incumbent on all members to resolve appropriate issues at the lowest level with the assistance and guidance from their chain of command.

I will continue to make myself available to the members of our Department, but I also want to ensure that our organization and structure is maintained. In closing, I ask that all members operate through teamwork, operate ethically and with integrity and operate to position the Department for the future, while serving with courage, integrity and pride.

DOUGLAS L. BARRY
Fire Chief

On December 7, 2007 the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) launched a six-month evaluation program to introduce the LAFD Information Portal. The LAFD Information Portal is in accordance with the Board of Fire Commissioners' April 25 2006 Audit Action Plan (AAP).

OUR MISSION...

It is the mission of the Los Angeles Fire Department to preserve life and property, promote public safety and foster economic growth through leadership, management and actions, as an all risk life safety response provider.

OUR FOCUS...

The Department will focus its efforts on responding rapidly to emergencies, providing appropriate intervention and community education.

During times of crises when the public depends on our services, the LAFD stands tall, performs brilliantly and is never more united. Recent events clearly illustrate this fact. As Fire Chief, I would like to personally extend my congratulations and recognize all the members of this Department who work so tirelessly and courageously in their efforts to protect the citizens of Los Angeles.

After reflecting on our most recent successes, I am more resolute than ever to address the internal issues that have been dividing us as a Fire Department family. While litigation involving Department members is disconcerting, we must always respect an individual's rights to seek resolution under the law. The impact on morale as a result of such litigation is dependent upon each Department member's commitment to accepting the rights and opinions of others.