Crime & Safety

LAFD to Beef Up Crews During 405 Closure

L.A. Fire Department to add firefighters, paramedics, firetrucks and ambulances in closure area to ensure coverage, speedy response.

The Los Angeles Fire Department will have 200 extra firefighters and paramedics on duty during this weekend's closure of the 405 Freeway through the Sepulveda Pass, according to City News Service.

To augment the existing resources in the area, an additional 15 fire engines and six ambulances will be staged at stations along Mulholland Drive in Encino Hills and Beverly Glen, and on Olympic Boulevard in West Los Angeles, according to LAFD spokesman Erik Scott.

Brush patrol units will also be continuously patrolling the hillside areas during the closure.

Find out what's happening in Venice-Mar Vistawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Scott said the increased staffing will enable the LAFD to respond quickly to 911 calls in the affected area. Officials at the Getty Center and Skirball Cultural Center, both of which will be closed during the freeway closure, have offered space to the LAFD for staging or other operational purposes, if needed.

"The has developed a unified plan with our partner agencies, including the LAPD and CHP, to ensure we provide emergency response and medical services to the communities in the impact area," LAFD Assistant Chief Patrick Butler said in an email to Patch.

Find out what's happening in Venice-Mar Vistawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The northbound freeway will be closed for about 53 hours between the Santa Monica (10) and Ventura (101) freeways so that half of the Mulholland Bridge can be demolished. The southbound freeway will be closed from the 101 Freeway to Getty Center Drive.

Lane and ramp closures will begin Friday night, and the freeway is expected to be reopened by 6 a.m. Monday.

City News Service contributed to this report.

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