October 21, 2026

LOS ANGELES, CA — Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath introduced a motion to implement a recommendation from the January 2025 wildfire After-Action Review by replacing and modernizing the Los Angeles County Fire Department’s computer-aided dispatch system. The modernization would help dispatchers identify and deploy the closest available emergency resources more quickly, improve coordination with the Sheriff’s Department, and strengthen the County’s response to wildfires and other major emergencies.

“The emergencies we face today look nothing like they did in 1989, and our emergency response technology needs to reflect that,” said Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath. “The January fires reinforced the need for faster coordination and better information when every decision counts. Los Angeles County is taking another concrete step to give our firefighters and dispatchers the modern tools they need to protect our communities.”

“Modernizing our Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system is a critical investment in the safety for both our residents and first responders,” said Fire Chief Anthony C. Marrone. “By replacing our 1989 legacy dispatch system with Pulsiam’s next generation CAD technology, the County of Los Angeles Fire Department will enhance real-time automatic vehicle tracking, live traffic and hazard mapping, and seamless CAD-to-CAD interoperability with the Sheriff’s Department. Processing over 615,000 calls annually makes our 9-1-1 Communications Center one of the nation’s busiest; this modern upgrade ensures our ability to deploy the closest units, and improves coordination during complex, multi-jurisdictional emergencies.”

In 2025, LA County Fire’s Emergency Communications Center handled more than 615,000 calls for service and dispatched crews to more than 457,000 incidents. The proposed system would deliver three critical improvements:

• Faster emergency dispatch: Real-time vehicle tracking and recommendations to identify and deploy the closest available units.
• Better information for first responders: Live mapping with traffic and hazard information to support decisions in the field.
• Stronger coordination during disasters: Real-time information sharing between Fire, the Sheriff’s Department, and regional public safety partners to support evacuations and large-scale emergencies.

The motion directs the Fire Department to report back to the Board within 90 days on contract execution and implementation progress.

More Information
Read the full motion >

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