Long Beach Announces Enhancements to Fire Department Resources

Release Date: 2026-02-06

Councilmember Zendejas has secured expansion of critical Long Beach Fire Department emergency response resources designed to improve service delivery, increase rescue availability and reduce response times citywide. These efforts will strengthen emergency response with expanded Fire and EMS resources.

Highlights include:

• Rescue 2 has been enhanced from a peak-load unit operating 12-hour shifts, seven days a week, to a full 24/7 rescue unit serving the downtown area.
• Station 13 will now have a peak-load Rescue Ambulance available seven days a week for 12-hour shifts.
• Engine 11 will be converted into a Paramedic Assessment Unit serving the downtown area.

The new EMS resources are funded through a mix of Fiscal Year 2026 budget enhancements, labor agreements with the Long Beach Firefighters Association and Developer Impact Fees — a strategic investment in public safety designed to support Long Beach today and into the future.

Between Jan. 1 and Jan. 20, 2026, the Fire Department responded to more than 750 calls across Rescue 2, Rescue 13 and Engine 11. Rescue 2 handled 257 calls with an average response time of 6 minutes and 48 seconds, Rescue 13 responded to 164 calls averaging 7 minutes and 18 seconds, and Engine 11 recorded the fastest response time at 6 minutes and 24 seconds after responding to 335 calls.

Compared with the same period last year, average response times dropped by 30 seconds — from 7:36 to 7:06. Availability of emergency units also surged, with instances of all rescue ambulances being unavailable for more than one minute falling from 56 last January to just two this year.

The upgrades reflect Long Beach’s continued focus on proactive planning, smart investment and delivering reliable emergency care when residents need it most.

As the City continues to evaluate service demands and invest in critical infrastructure, these enhancements ensure firefighters and paramedics are equipped to respond quickly, effectively and with greater coverage than ever before.

To learn more about Fire Department resources, visit longbeach.gov/fire.