LOS ANGELES – Fire Chief Brian Cummings today unveiled the LAFD Task Force on Information and Data Analysis (Task Force IDA), a multi disciplinary task force that is comprised of sworn and civilian LAFD personnel, with specialized technical assistance provided by subject matter experts from the RAND Corporation, University of Southern California, and the Los Angeles Police Department.
According to Chief Cummings, “This Task Force provides an excellent opportunity for the LAFD to refine its process for presenting clear, consistent and easily understood information regarding our response times, as well as establishing measurements and benchmarks for all that we do.”
Chief Cummings has tasked Task Force IDA to analyze and validate critical data, including response time data; develop additional policies, processes and systems to accurately capture, measure, and report key activities of the Fire Department; develop a system that will enable data to be shared with members of the Fire Department in a collaborative method to foster dialogue that will lead to enhanced performance and development of best practices that can be shared throughout the organization; and develop a system to make appropriate LAFD Data and Information available to the public in a transparent manner.
Chief Cummings appointed LAFD Assistant Chief Patrick Butler to Chair Task Force IDA, with Chief Butler reporting directly to him on matters within the jurisdiction of the Task Force. Task Force IDA will work in cooperation and conjunction with Fire Commissioner Alan Skobin, who was designated by the Fire Commission as Liaison and Committee Chair for response time data and development of a system that is inspired by LAPD’s COMPSTAT.
Task Force IDA has already held its first meeting, at which a strategic road map was discussed, and
members divided themselves into two working committees. The committees will address Data Accuracy and Interpretation, as well as Performance Measures. There are currently 11 members on the Task Force, along with technical advisors, 5 of whom hold PhD degrees in various disciplines. Task Force membership and support will expand as necessary.
Commissioner Genethia Hundley-Hayes, President of the Fire Commission, stated that “Creation of this Task Force by Chief Cummings is an important step forward in both rebuilding public trust and using data as an effective management tool. Chief Cummings selected outstanding leaders from within LAFD to participate in this very important project, and the distinguished technical advisors from the RAND Corporation, USC and the LAPD provide an additional layer of expertise and a validation of the Task Force’s work product. Task Force IDA has the full support of the Fire Commission.”
Chief Cummings added, “I am truly excited by the broad scope of experience, knowledge and expertise of the members that make up this Task Force and the technical advisors who are lending their expertise. I am confident that with their understanding and passion for the Project, Chief Butler’s leadership, and the strong support and collaboration of Commissioner Skobin, this group will quickly produce tangible results.”
Chief Cummings also acknowledged the efforts of Jeff Godown, whose work in conducting an examination of response time data served as an important foundation for one prong of the work to be performed by Task Force IDA.
Submitted by Erik Scott, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department
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