4.i.1 fire protection - la city planning · (1) fire protection facilities, services, and response...

CityofLosAngeles 1020S.FigueroaStreetProjectSCHNo.2016021013 4.I.1‐1

4. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ANALYSIS I. PUBLIC SERVICES 1 FIRE PROTECTION

1. INTRODUCTION

This section analyzes the Project’s potential effects on fire protection and emergency medical servicesprovidedbytheCityofLosAngelesFireDepartment(LAFD).Theanalysisaddressesfireprotectionfacilitiesandservices,responsetimes,emergencyaccess,andwaterinfrastructure.Theanalysisisbased,inpart,oninformationprovidedbytheLAFDandincludedinAppendixI‐1ofthisDraftEIR.1Theanalysisisalsobased,in part, on water infrastructure and fire flow capability information provided in the Project’s CivilEngineeringReport,includingfireflowcapabilitiesinformationfromtheLosAngelesDepartmentofWaterandPower(LADWP).2TheCivilEngineeringReportisincludedinAppendixI‐2ofthisDraftEIR.

2. ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING

a. Existing Conditions

(1) Fire Protection Facilities, Services, and Response Times

Fireprevention,firesuppression,lifesafetyandemergencymedicalserviceswithintheCityofLosAngelesare provided by the LAFD. The LAFD is a full‐spectrum life safety agency that serves a population ofapproximately fourmillionpeople. TheLAFD’s3,246uniformedpersonnel and353 civilian support staffprovide fire prevention, firefighting, emergency medical care, technical rescue, hazardous materialsmitigation,disasterresponse,publiceducation,andcommunityservice.Atanygiventime,thereareatotalof1,018uniformedfirefighters,including270paramedics,on‐dutyat106firestationsacrosstheLAFD’s471squaremilejurisdiction.3

AsshowninFigure4.I.1‐1,LAFDFireStationsintheProjectVicinity,therearefourLAFDfirestationsthatwouldprovideprimary fireprotection service to theProject Site. The location,distance from theProjectSite, average response times, staffing, and equipment of each of these fire stations are summarized inTable4.I.1‐1,LAFDFireStationsintheProjectVicinity.Asindicated,FireStation10,locatedat1335S.OliveStreet, is0.90miles fromtheProjectSiteandisthefirstduefirestation(i.e., thefirestationwithprimaryresponsibilityfortheProjectSite).4TheotherthreefirestationsincludeFireStation9,locatedat430E.7thStreet1.2miles fromtheProjectSite,FireStation3, locatedat108N.FremontAvenue1.3miles fromtheProjectSite,andFireStation11,locatedat1819W.7thStreet1.3milesfromtheProjectSite.

AsfurtherindicatedinTable4.I.1‐1,theaverageresponsetimesforEMS(emergencymedicalservice)and

1 JohnN.Vidovich,FireMarshall,BureauofFirePreventionandPublicSafety,LAFD,correspondencedatedMarch30,2016.2 Psomas,1020S.FigueroaStreetProject,Environmental ImpactReport–Grading&DrainageandUtilities,(CivilReport)May16,

2016.3 LosAngelesFireDepartment,DepartmentOverview,http://www.lafd.org/about/about‐lafd/our‐mission.AccessedMarch31,2016.4 JohnN.Vidovich,FireMarshall,BureauofFirePreventionandPublicSafety,LAFD,correspondencedatedMarch30,2016Included

asAppendixI‐1ofthisDraftEIR.

4.I.1 Fire Protection September 2016


non‐EMS(fireandotherservices)callsare:3:57minutesand3:28minutes,respectively,fromFireStation10; 3:26 minutes and 3:04 minutes, respectively, from Fire Station 9; 4:02 minutes and 3:04 minutes,respectively,fromFireStation3;and3:24minutesand3:17minutes,respectively,fromFireStation11.Incomparison, Citywide LAFD response times are higher. Citywide response times for EMS calls are 4:16minutesandnon‐EMScallsare4:10minutes. ThisiscomparedtoLAFD’sresponsetimestandardsof5:00minutes for 90 percent of EMS responses and 5:20 minutes for 90 percent of non‐EMS fire responses.5Therefore, response times to the Project Site from all four fire stations serving the Project Sitemeet theLAFD’sresponsetimestandards,andaccordingtotheLAFD,existingprotectionservicesfortheProjectSiteare considered “adequate”.6 It should be noted that the average response times are not necessarilyrepresentative of the actual time required to reach the Project Site from any of these fire stations, but issimply an indication of the average time needed to reach any given destination within each station’srespectiveservicearea.

5 CityofLosAngeles,AcademyofMotionPicturesEnvironmentalImpactReport,SCH#2013051086,DEIRpg.4.I.2‐1,certifiedJune24,

2015.6 Ibid.

Table 4.I.1‐1LAFD Fire Stations in the Project Vicinity

Station No./Location Distance From Project Sitea

Average Response Timesb,c

Equipmenta EMS Non‐EMS

FireStation101335S.OliveSt.

0.9mi. 3:57min. 3:28min. TaskForceEngineTaskForceTruckCompanyParamedicRescueAmbulanceEMTRescueAmbulance

FireStation9430E.7thSt.

1.2mi. 3:26min. 3:04min. TaskForceEngineTaskForceTruckCompanyParamedicRescueAmbulanceBattalion1Headquarters

FireStation3108N.FremontAve.

1.3mi. 4:02min. 3:04min. TaskForceEngineTaskForceTruckCompanyParamedicRescueAmbulance‐DivisionHeadquarters

FireStation111819W7thSt.

1.3m. 3:24min. 3:17min. TaskForceEngineTaskForceTruckCompanyParamedicRescueAmbulance

a John N. Vidovich, Fire Marshall, Bureau of Fire Prevention and Public Safety, LAFD, correspondence dated March 30, 2016. b EMS = Emergency Medical Services, Non‐EMS = Fire and others services c LAFD website, FireStateLA, http://www.lafd.org/fsla/stations‐map. Accessed April 2016. Source: PCR Services Corporation, April 2016.

Fire Station 9(430 E 7TH ST)

Fire Station 11(1819 W 7TH ST)

Fire Station 10(1335 S OLIVE ST)

Fire Station 3(108 N. FREMONT AVE)

FIGURE

Source: ESRI Street Map, 2009; PCR Services Corporation, 2016.

0 0.5 Miles1020 S. Figueroa Street Project

LAFD Fire Stations in the Project Vicinity4.I.1-1

Project SiteLAFD Fire Station

o



Thispageintentionallyblank.

September 2016 4.I.1 Fire Protection


Table4.I.1‐2,LAFDFireandParamedicIncidentData, liststhenumbersofEMSandnon‐EMSincidentsforeachofthefourfirestationsin2015. Asshown,themajorityoftheincidentsrespondedtobyeachofthefourfirestationswastoEMScalls,with:1,326EMSand326non‐EMSincidentsrespondedtobyFireStation10; 3,530 EMS and 734 non‐EMS incidents responded to by Fire Station 9; 1,171 EMS and 313 non‐EMSincidentsrespondedtobyFireStation3.,and2,150EMSand480non‐EMSincidentsrespondedtobyFireStation11.

(2) Emergency Access

As shown on Figure 4.I.1‐1, the Project Site is accessible by emergency vehicles from a number ofmajorroadways serving theProjectSite. Emergencyaccess to theProjectSite is available from the four streetsborderingtheProjectSite,includingfromthenorthandsouthbyW.OlympicBoulevardand11thStreet,andfromthewestandeastbyS.FigueroaStreetandS.FlowerStreet.EachofthefourfirestationsservingtheProject Site hasmultiple routes available to the Project Site. According to the LAFD, the first due enginecompanyshouldbewithinonemileoftheProjectSiteandthefirstduetruckcompanyshouldbewithin1.5miles.7 AsindicatedinTable4.I.1‐1,FireStation10,lessthanamilefromtheProjectSite,meetstheLAFDdistancestandardforanenginecompany,whileallfourfirestationsarewithin1.5milesandmeettheLAFDdistancestandardforatruckcompany.

(3) Water Infrastructure/Fire Flow for Firefighting Services

Ingeneral,fireflowrequirementsarecloselyrelatedtolanduseasthequantityofwaternecessaryforfireprotection varieswith the typeof development, life hazard, typeof occupancy, anddegreeof firehazard.7 JohnN.Vidovich,FireMarshall,BureauofFirePreventionandPublicSafety,LAFD,correspondencedatedMarch30,2016,included

inAppendixI‐1ofthisDraftEIR.

Table 4.I.1‐2

LAFD Fire and Paramedic Incident Data (January to March 2016)a

Station No. and Location EMSb Non‐EMSb Total

FireStation101335S.OliveSt.

1,326 326 1,652

FireStation9430E.7thSt.

3,530 734 4,264

FireStation3108N.FremontAvenue

1,171 313 1,484

FireStation111819W7thSt.

2,150 480 2,630

a LAFD website, FireStateLA, http://www.lafd.org/fsla/stations‐map. Accessed April 2016 b EMS = Emergency Medical Services, Non‐EMS = Fire and Other Services Source: PCR Services Corporation, April 2016.



Fireflowrequirementsvaryfrom2,000gallonsperminute(gpm)inlow‐densityresidentialareasto12,000gpminhigh‐densitycommercialorindustrialareaswithaminimumresidualwaterpressureof20poundspersquareinch(psi).8TheLAFDhasdeterminedthattherequiredfireflowfortheProjectwouldbe6,000to9,000gpmfromfourtosixfirehydrantsflowingsimultaneouslywitharesidualwaterpressureof20psi.9

WaterforfirefightingpurposesissuppliedtotheProjectSitebytheLADWP. Currently, thereisa10‐inchwater linein11thStreet,a12‐inchwater lineinS.FigueroaStreet,anda12‐inchwater lineinW.OlympicBoulevard.ActiveservicetotheProjectSiteisofftheS.FigueroaStreetlineviaa6‐inchwaterlinethatgoestoametervaultwhereitsplitsintoseparatedomesticfireflowlinesbeforeenteringthehotel.10

Furthermore,threefirehydrantsarecurrentlylocatedateachcorneroftheProjectSite.ThesearelocatedatthecornerofW.OlympicBoulevardandS.FigueroaStreet;thecornerofS.FigueroaStreetand11thStreet,andatthecornerof11thStreetandS.FlowerStreet.11BasedontheFireServicePressureFlowReportsfromtheLADWP,the10‐inchwaterlinein11thStreethasamaximumflowcapacityof5,000gallonsperminute(gpm)at38psi,the12‐inchwaterlineinS.FigueroaStreethasamaximumflowcapacityof1,400gpmat40psi,andthe12‐inchwaterlineinW.OlympicBoulevardhasamaximumflowcapacityof5,000gpmat64psi.12 Maximumpressuresare63psi inthe11thStreetandS.FigueroaStreet lines,and91psi intheOlympicBoulevardline.13

BasedoninformationfromtheProject’sCivilEngineer,theProject’proposedPhaseIresidentialcomponentwouldhaveafireserviceflowrequirementof1,000gpmandadomesticserviceflowrequirementof3,900gpm.ThePhase1hotelcomponentwouldhaveafireserviceflowrequirementof1,000gpmandadomesticservice flow requirement of 2,300 gpm, and the proposed Phase 2 residential component would have aservicefireflowrequirementof1,000andadomesticserviceflowrequirementof4,700.14

(4) Changes in the Delivery of Services by LAFD

On July 5, 2011, the LAFD implemented a new Deployment Plan to maximize the efficient uses of theDepartment’s resources within budget constraintswhilemaintaining fire and emergencymedical serviceresponse in eachof the local fire station serviceareas. Under theDeploymentPlan,no fire stationswereclosed. No positionswere eliminated via termination, and no apparatus has been removed from any fire

8 Ibid.9 Ibid.10 Psomas,CityCenterProjectEnvironmentalImpactReport–CivilContribution,May16,2016.11 Ibid.12 Ibid.Also,CityofLosAngeles,LosAngelesDepartmentofWaterandPower–WaterSystem,FireServicePressureFlowReports,SAR

Numbers5341,53619,53620and53662,ServiceNumbers618765,618,923,618,924and618993,approveddatesJanuary12,2016,February3,2016,February3,2016,andFebruary11,2016.IncludedinAppendix2oftheCivilEngineeringReportwhichisincludedinAppendixI‐2ofthisDraftEIR.

13 Ibid.14 Psomas,CityCenterProjectEnvironmentalImpactReport–CivilContribution,May16,2016.



station.15 TheLAFDhascommittedtomaintainingafireengine,associatedfirefighters,andaparamedicineveryfirestationservicearea.

In January 2015, LAFD implemented a significant organizational change, when the LAFD divided theDepartment into four geographic bureaus aligned with the boundaries of the Los Angeles PoliceDepartment’s(LAPD)geographicbureaus. ThisnewstructurewasdevelopedtounifyeffortsbetweentheLAFD,LAPDandtheEmergencyManagementDepartmenttomakeCityserviceprovidersmoreresponsiveandresilientinanemergency.TheLAFDalsorecentlyimplementedanewemergencymedicaldispatchcardsystem(TieredDispatchSystem)toreducecallprocessingtimes.Thatreductionminimizes theamountoftimearesidentisonthephonereportinganemergency.Additionally,theLAFD’sAutomaticVehicleLocation,used in combination with GPS devices, helps to ensure the closest possible emergency resource isdispatched.TheLAFDlaunchedFireStatLAin2014,aregularevaluationofleadershipandmanagementthatis designed to quantify and evaluate the performance of the LAFD’s fire and emergencymedical servicesunitsattheStation,Battalion,BureauandDepartmentlevel.16

b. Regulatory Framework

(1) State of California

The California Code of Regulations (CCR) Title 24 (California Building Code [CBC]) is a compilation ofbuildingstandards,includingfiresafetystandardsforresidentialandcommercialbuildings.CBCstandardsarebasedonbuildingstandardsthathavebeenadoptedbyStateagencieswithoutchangefromanationalmodelcode;buildingstandardsbasedonanationalmodelcodethathavebeenchangedtoaddressparticularCalifornia conditions; and building standards authorized by the California legislature, not covered by thenationalmodel code. TheCaliforniaFireCode ispartof theCBC. Typical fire safety requirementsof theCaliforniaFireCodeinclude:theinstallationofsprinklersinallhigh‐risebuildings;theestablishmentoffireresistance standards for fire doors, building materials, and particular types of construction; and, theclearanceofdebrisandvegetationwithinaprescribeddistancefromoccupiedstructuresinwildfirehazardareas. The California Fire Code applies to all occupancies in California, except where more stringentstandards have been adopted by local agencies. Specific California Fire Code regulations have beenincorporatedbyreferencewithamendments,intheLosAngelesBuildingCode,FireSafetyRegulations.

The LAFD participates in the California Fire Service and Rescue Emergency Mutual Aid System throughwhich the California Emergency Management Agency, Fire and Rescue Division is responsible for thedevelopment,implementationandcoordinationoftheCaliforniaFireServiceandRescueEmergencyMutualAirPlan(MutualAidPlan),asmanagedbytheGovernor’sOfficeofEmergencyServices(OES).17TheMutualAidPlanoutlinesproceduresforestablishingmutualaidagreementsatthelocal,operational,regional,andStatelevels,anddividestheStateintosixmutualaidregionstofacilitatethecoordinationofmutualaid.TheLAFD is located in Region I. Through the Mutual Aid Plan, the OES is informed of conditions in each

15 LosAngelesFireDepartment,TheNewLAFDDeploymentPlan,http://lafd.org/community/136‐spotlight‐articles/416‐the‐new‐lafd‐

deployment‐plan.AccessedMarch31,2016.16 LAFD “A Safer City” Strategic Plan, 2016‐2017. https://issuu.com/lafd/docs/262609736‐lafd‐strategic‐plan‐2015‐

?e=17034503/1374498017 CaliforniaEmergencyManagementAgency, Fire andRescueDivision,California Fire andRescueEmergencyMutualAid System,

MutualAidPlan,revisedFebruary2012.



geographicandorganizationalareaofthestate,andtheoccurrenceorimminentthreatofdisaster.AllOESMutualAidparticipantsmonitoradedicatedradiofrequencyforfireeventsthatarebeyondthecapabilitiesoftherespondingfiredepartmentandprovideaidinaccordancewiththemanagementdirectionoftheOES.

(2) City of Los Angeles

(a) Los Angeles General Plan Framework

TheCityofLosAngelesGeneralPlanFramework,originallyadopted inDecember1996andre‐adopted inAugust2001,setsforthgeneralguidanceregardinglanduseissuesfortheentireCityanddefinesCitywidepoliciesregardinglanduse,includingpublicservices.Specificfireprotectionandemergencymedicalservicegoals and objectives within the General Plan, Chapter 9, Infrastructure and Public Services, that areapplicabletotheProjectinclude:

Goal9J: Everyneighborhoodhasthenecessary levelof fireprotectionservice,emergencymedicalserviceandinfrastructure.

o Objective9.16:Monitorandforecastdemandforexistingandprojectedfirefacilitiesandservice.

o Objective 9.17: Assure that all areas of the City have the highest level of fire protection andemergencymedicalservices,atthelowestpossiblecost,tomeetexistingandfuturedemand.

(b) General Plan Safety Element

TheGeneral Plan Safety Element, adopted onNovember 26, 1996, replaces the 1975General Plan SafetyElement and the 1979 Fire Protection and Prevention Element. It contains policies related to the City’sresponsetohazardsandnaturaldisasters.ThespecificfireprotectionandemergencymedicalpolicywithintheGeneralPlanSafetyElement,thatisapplicabletotheProjectincludes:

Policy2.1.6: Standards/fire. Continuetomaintain,enforceandupgraderequirements,proceduresandstandardstofacilitatemoreeffectivefiresuppression.(Allpeakloadwaterandotherstandards,coderequirements[includingminimumroadwidths,access,andclearancesaroundstructures]andotherrequirementsorproceduresrelatedtofiresuppressionimplementthispolicy.)

The Fire Department and/or appropriate City agencies shall revise regulations or procedures toincludetheestablishmentofminimumstandardsfor locationandexpansionof fire facilities,basedupon fire flow requirements, intensity and type of land use, life hazard, occupancy and degree ofhazardsoastoprovideadequatefireandemergencymedicaleventresponse.

(c) Central City Community Plan

TheCity’s 2009Central City Community Plan,which covers theDowntown area of the City including theProjectSite,containsthefollowingfireprotectionobjectiveandpolicyapplicabletotheProject:

ChapterIII,LandUsePoliciesandPrograms,GovernmentandPublicFacilities,FireProtection:

Text:TheFireandPreventionPlanoftheCityofLosAngelesprovidesanofficialguidetoCitydepartments, other governmental agencies, developers, and interested citizens for the



construction,maintenance,andoperationoffirefacilities. Itisintendedtominimizelossoflifethroughfirepreventionprograms.

o Objective6.1:ToensurethatfirefacilitiesandprotectiveservicesaresufficientfortheexistingandfuturepopulationandlandusesofCentralCity.

Policy 6.1.1: Coordinate with the Fire Department as part of the review of significantdevelopment projects and General Plan Amendments affecting land use to determine theimpactonservicedemands.

(d) Los Angeles Municipal Code and Charter

AsdetailedinChapterV,Article7,FireProtectionandPrevention(FireCode)oftheLAMC,theLAFDBureauofFirePreventionandPublicSafetyisrequiredtoadministerandenforcebasicbuildingregulationssetbythe State FireMarshal. The Fire Code also provides regulations for the safeguarding of life and propertyfrom fire, explosion, panic, or other hazardous conditions which may arise in the use or occupancy ofbuildings,structures,orpremises.18

Section 520 of the Los Angeles City Charter requires the LAFD to control and extinguish injurious ordangerousfiresandremovethatwhichislikelytocausethosefires;enforceallordinancesandlawsrelatingtothepreventionorspreadoffires,firecontrol,andfirehazardswithintheCity;conductfireinvestigations;andprotectlivesandpropertyincaseofdisasterorpubliccalamity.

Division 118 of the Fire Code requires that all new high‐rise buildings greater than 75feet in height(measured from the lowest point with fire access) to include a fire control station containing a publicaddresssystemandtelephonesforLAFDuse.Thefirecontrolstationmustcontainafiredetectionandfirealarm system, an elevator recall switch and status panel for all elevator cars, a sprinkler control system,standby power and emergency electrical power controls, controls for unlocking stair shaft doors, smokeevacuationandfancontrols,stairwaypressurizationcontrolswitches,andstatusindicatorsfor firepumpsandwatersupply.Asound‐poweredtelephonecommunicationsystemmustbelocatedateveryfloorlevelineachenclosedexitstairway,ateveryexteriorlocationwhereanenclosedstairwayexitstoapublicway,ontheroof,andineveryelevatorcar. Inaddition,ahigh‐risebuildingmusthaveat leastoneemergencyandfirecontrolelevatorineachbankofelevators(Section57.118.05),adependablemethodofsoundingafirealarmthroughoutthebuilding(Section57.118.06),anemergencysmokecontrolsystem(Section57.118.07),a standby and emergency power system (Section 57.118.08), stair shaft doors for fire department use(Section57.118.09),pressurized stair shafts (Section57.118.10), andotherdevicesoperable from the firecontrol station, as previously listed. Division 118 also requires the installation of automatic sprinklersystemsinallnewhigh‐risebuildingsinadditiontoarooftopemergencyhelicopterlandingfacility(EHLF)oneachhigh‐risebuildinginalocationapprovedbytheChiefoftheLAFD(Section57.4705.4).However,ifspecificlifesafetyfeaturesareprovidedasoutlinedinLAFDRequirementNo.10,theEHLFisnotrequired.Such life safetymeasures include; providing an additional Fire Service Access Elevator in addition to thenumberof elevators required in theCBC; two (2) stairways (anda third if added) shall have roof access;enclosedelevator lobbies;escalatoropeningsorstairwaysthatarenotpartof themeansofegresssystemand connect more than two stories protected by approved power‐operated automatic shutters at every

18 CityofLosAngelesMunicipalCode,Article7,ChapterV,Section57.01.02.



penetrated floor; automatic sprinkler systems; and a Video Camera Surveillance System with cameraslocatedinallFirefighterElevatorVestibulesandonevery5thfloorlandinginexitstairwayshafts,withanadditionalcameraatthetopoftheexitstairwayshaft.

TheProjectwouldincludeaHotelTowerwithaheightofupto430feet,aResidentialTower1withaheightofupto490 feet,andtheResidentialTower2withaheightupto540 feet.Assuch, theProjectwouldbesubjecttothespecificrequirementsofDivision118.

For high‐rise buildings, LAMC Section 57.33.19 requires the preparation of an Emergency Plan thatestablishes dedicated personnel and emergency procedures to assist the LAFD during an emergencyincident, and establishes a drill procedure to prepare for emergency incidents. The Emergency Plan isrequiredtodesignateateachbuildingaFireSafetyDirector,FloorWardens,PrivateFirstResponders,andEssentialBuildingPersonnel.Amongothertasks,theseindividualswouldberequiredtocall911duringanemergency incident; report to the building’s Emergency Assistance Center; direct evacuation operations;reportconditionstotheLAFD;conductmonthlyinspections;knowthelocationofallexits;directemergencyevacuations and fire drills; and assist the LAFD, emergency responders, and on‐site personnel duringemergency evacuations. A description of the procedures all occupants should follow in an emergencyevacuationordrillisalsorequiredintheEmergencyPlan.TheEmergencyPlanalsodesignatesappropriateevacuationsignsandrequirestheFireSafetyDirectortoestablishtheon‐siteEmergencyAssistanceCenter.Lastly,LAMCSection57.33.19requiresthatmandatoryfiredrillsbeconductedatleastonceannually.AFireSafety Officer is required to be present to witness and document the total building evacuation. TheEmergency Plan must be submitted to the LAFD for approval prior to implementation, and must besubmittedannually(andrevisedifrequiredbytheLAFD).

Division 112 of the Fire Code requires that all residential buildings must include smoke detectors inhallways, and each residential unit and common areas. All smoke detectors must be maintained independable operating condition and tested every sixmonths or as required by the Chief. In addition, noperson shall use, maintain, or allow to exist any portable, fuel‐burning, unvented room heater in anyresidentialoccupancyorcompressedgasesorliquefiedflammablegases.

Division 9 of the Fire Code addresses access, hydrants, fire flow requirements, and response distances.UnderDivision9 (Section57.09.03), an approvedposted fire lane is tobeprovided for anyportionof anexteriorwallmorethan150feetfromtheedgeofaroadway.Division9(Section57.09.06)establishesfireflow requirements (Table 9‐A). Fire flow is defined as the quantity ofwater available or needed for fireprotectioninagivenareaandisnormallymeasuredingpm,aswellasdurationofflow.Fireflowadequacyis determined by the type of land usewith high‐density land uses requiring higher flows from a greaternumberofhydrants.Aminimumresidualwaterpressureof20psiisrequiredtoremaininthewatersysteminadditiontotherequiredgpmwaterflow.

Division9(Section57.09.06) limits themaximumresponsedistances toanLAFDstationbasedon typeofland use (Table 9‐C). The maximum response distance from a high‐density residential and commercialdevelopment to a fire station is 1mile for an engine company and1.5miles froma truck company. Firehydrant spacingandhydrant type is alsodeterminedaccording to landuse (Table9‐B). Forhigh‐densityresidentialandneighborhoodcommercial,onehydrantper100,000sfoflandisrequiredwitha300to450feetdistancebetweenhydrants.Furthermore,everyfirststoryofaresidentialunitmustbewithin300feet



of an approved hydrant. Division 9 (Section 57.09.08) also provides for supplemental fire protection inwhichequipmentandsystemsnototherwiserequiredintheLAMCmayberequiredbytheLAFD.Forsiteswithsecuredopenings,Division9(Section57.09.09)givestheChiefoftheLAFDtheauthoritytoorderthepropertyownertoinstallanaccessboxinanapprovedlocationthatisaccessibletotheLAFD.

Division33oftheFireCode(Section57.33.17)requiresastairwayidentificationsystemforbuildingsthreeormore stories in height. The sign shall indicate the floor level, the lower and upper termination of thestairway,whetherornotthereisroofaccess,andtheidentificationofthestairway.

ChapterIX,Article1,BuildingRegulations(BuildingCode)oftheLAMC,Division7,FireResistiveMaterialsandConstruction,requirestheuseof fire‐resistivebuildingmaterials. Division9,FireProtectionSystems,Section91.909.3oftheBuildingCoderequiresthatallsmokecontrolsystemsbetestedpriortotheissuanceofaCertificateofOccupancyand,afteroccupancyof thebuilding,alloperatingpartsof thesmoke‐controlsystemsshallbe retestedeverysixmonths inaccordancewith theretest requirementsestablishedby theDepartmentofBuildingandSafetyandtheLAFD.

(3) Propositions F, J, and Q

PropositionF,theCityofLosAngelesFireFacilitiesBond,wasapprovedbyvotersinNovember2000.Thisbondallocated$532.6millionofgeneralobligationbondsto financetheconstructionandrehabilitationoffirestationsandanimalshelters.PropositionFwasamendedbyMeasureJin2006toprovideflexibilityinthedesignofnewfacilities,andsetstandards forsuch facilities. PropositionFallocated$378.6milliontobuild18newor replacementneighborhood fire/paramedicstations,one regional fire stationand trainingfacility,andoneemergencyairoperationsandhelicoptermaintenancefacility,foratotalof20PropositionFprojects.

MeasureJ,whichwasapprovedbyvotersattheNovember7,2006GeneralElection,isacharteramendmentand ordinance that involves technical changes to Proposition F. Currently under Proposition F, theconstruction of new regional fire stations to provide training and other facilities at or near standard firestationsmustbedesignedandbuiltonasinglesiteofatleasttwoacres.Thisistoensurethatfirefightersintrainingremainintheserviceareaandareavailabletorespondtoemergencycalls. MeasureJallowsnewregionalfirestationsfundedbyPropositionFlocatedindenselydevelopedareastobedesignedandbuiltononeormorepropertiesequalinglessthantwoacres. Componentsofaregionalfirestationcanbebuiltontwoormoresiteswithincloseproximity,orthefacilitycanbedesignedtofitonasinglesiteoflessthantwoacres.

PropositionQ,theCitywidePublicSafetyBondMeasurewasapprovedbyvotersinMarch2002.PropositionQ allocated $600million to renovate, improve, expand and construct police, fire, 911, and paramedicfacilities. In March 2011, the program was expanded to include renovations to existing LAFD facilitiesthroughouttheCity.Atotalof80renovationprojectsatLAFDfacilitieswerescheduled.Theserenovationprojects include the installationofdiesel exhaust capture systems,upgrades toair filtrationandelectricalsystems,re‐roofing,remodeling,parkinglotrepair,painting,andotherimprovements.AsofDecember2015,



76ofthe80renovationprojectshavebeencompleted.19TherearenoplansfornewfirestationsthatwouldservetheProject.

3. ENVIRONMENTEAL IMPACTS

a. Methodology

Fireprotectionandemergencymedicalserviceneedsrelatetothesizeofthepopulationandgeographicareaserved,thenumberandtypesofcallsforservice,andthecharacteristicsofthecommunityandtheProject.Changes in these factors resulting from the Project may increase the demand for services. The LAFDevaluates the demand for fire prevention and protection services on a project‐by‐project basis, includingreviewoftheProject’semergencyfeatures,todetermineiftheProjectwouldrequireadditionalequipment,personnel,newfacilities,oralterationstoexistingfacilities.BeyondthestandardsincludedintheFireCode,consideration is given to the size of the Project, uses proposed, fire flow necessary to accommodate theProject,distanceforengineandtruckcompanies(thedistancestandardisonemileforanenginecompanyand 1.5miles for a truck company),20 response time (an acceptable response time is fiveminutes for 90percentofEMS incidentresponsesand5:20minutes for90percentofnon‐EMS incidentresponses),21 firehydrant sizing and placement standards, access, and the Project’s potential to use or store hazardousmaterials.Basedonthesefactors,adeterminationismadeastowhethertheLAFDwouldrequireaneworphysicallyaltered facility tomaintainacceptableservice levels, theconstructionofwhichcouldresult inapotentiallysignificantenvironmentalimpact.Aspartoftheanalysis,theLAFDwasconsultedandresponseswereincorporatedregardingtheProject,theLAFDwebsitewasreviewed,andapplicableprovisionsoftheFire Code were reviewed. The potential impacts associated with hazardous materials and Project SiteconditionsarediscussedinSection4.E,HazardsandHazardousMaterialsofthisDraftEIR.

b. Thresholds of Significance

AppendixGof theStateCEQAGuidelinesprovidesthefollowingscreeningquestionthataddresses impactswithregardtofireprotectionandemergencymedicalservice:

Wouldtheprojectresultinsubstantialadversephysicalimpactsassociatedwiththeprovisionofnew or physically altered governmental facilities, need for new or physically alteredgovernmentalfacilities,theconstructionofwhichcouldcausesignificantenvironmentalimpacts,inorder tomaintainacceptableservice ratios, response timesorotherperformanceobjectivesforanyofthepublicservices:

19 CityofLosAngeles,DepartmentofPublicWorks,BureauofEngineering,2002PropositionQCitywideSafetyBondProgram,Monthly

ProgressReportDecember/January2016http://www.lapropq.org/modules/fileUpload/files/Prop%20Q%20Monthly%20Dec%20Jan%202016%20Report.pdf,accessedApril2016.

20 Ibid.21 JohnN.Vidovich,FireMarshall,BureauofFirePreventionandPublicSafety,LAFD,correspondencedatedMarch30,2016,included

inAppendixI‐1ofthisDraftEIR.



Fireprotection?

The L.A. CEQA Thresholds Guide incorporates the screening questions contained in Appendix G. Inaccordance with the City’s thresholds, the Project would normally have a significant impact on fireprotectionifit:

Requires theadditionof anew fire station, or theexpansion, consolidationor relocationof anexistingfacilitytomaintainservice.

Basedonthisfactor,aprojectwouldhaveasignificantimpactonfireprotectionifit:

FIRE‐1 Requirestheadditionofanewfirestation,ortheexpansion,consolidation,orrelocationofanexistingfacilitytomaintainserviceduringconstructionoroperation,whichwouldresultinasubstantialadversephysicalimpactontheenvironment.

c. Project Characteristics and Project Design Features

The Projectwould be designed to, and its operations implemented in amanner that,would complywithapplicableStateandlocalcodesandordinancesfoundintheFrameworkElementandSafetyElement,oftheCity’sGeneralPlan,theCityofLosAngelesDepartmentofPublicWorksstreetstandardsrelatedtohigh‐riseconstructionrequirements,andDivision7oftheBuildingCoderegardingprovisionoffire‐resistantbuildingmaterialsandsmokecontrol.

(1) Project Regulatory Requirements

Key components of these regulatory requirements that would be implemented as part of the ProjectpursuanttoLAFDreviewandguidanceincludethefollowing:

BuildingDesign: Fire resistant doors andmaterials, aswell aswalkways, stairwell and elevatorsystems(includingemergencyandfirecontrolelevators)thatmeetcoderequirements.

FireSafetyFeatures:Installationofautomaticsprinklersystems,smokedetectorsandappropriatesignage and internal exit routes to facilitate a building evacuation if necessary. TheProjectwouldincludeseparatewaterstoragetanksandfirepumpsforeachtower.Anaccessiblepointfirealarmsystemdesignedforhigh‐risebuildingoperationsthatwouldconformtoapplicablecodeswouldbeprovidedThefirealarmsystemwouldincludethefollowingcomponents:

o FireAlarmControlPanelandvoiceevacuationsystem

o ManualPullStations

o WaterFlowAlarms

o SprinklerTamperSupervision

o SmokeandHeatDetectors

o ADAStrobes

o Speakers



o RemoteAnnunciation.Generatorandfirepumpannunciation

o SmokeManagementControlSystemInterface

o FireFighterCommunicationSystem

Emergency SafetyProvisions. Implementation of an Emergency Plan in compliancewith LAMCSection57.33.19.

LAFDAccess:AccessforLAFDapparatusandpersonneltotheProjectsite(includingthoselistedinthe LAFD’s March 30, 2016 correspondence) in accordancewith LAFD requirements, inclusive ofstandardsregardingfire lanewidthsandweightcapacitiesneededtosupportfirefightingvehicles,markingsandon‐sitevehiclerestrictionstoensuresafeaccess.

ConstructionMeasures: Construction of the Project would be in compliance with OccupationalSafety andHealthAdministration (OSHA) andFire andBuildingCode requirements. Constructionmanagers would be trained in fire suppression and emergency response, and fire suppressionequipmentspecifictoconstructionwouldbemaintainedonSite.

Water System Improvements: Allwater systems and roadway improvements completed to thesatisfactionoftheFireDepartmentpriortotheissuanceofbuildingpermits.

PrivateFireHydrantSystems: ADivision5FireDepartmentpermit foranyprivate firehydrantsystems.

LAFDPlotPlanandDefinitivePlanApproval:LAFDapprovalofplotplansshowingfirehydrantsandaccessforeachphaseoftheProjectpriortotherecordingofthefinalmapforthatphase.Eachphase to comply independently with cord requirements. LAFD approval of definitive plans andspecifications, and any associated permits, prior to commencement of any portion of the Project.Eachphasetocomplyindependentlywithcordrequirements.

(2) Project Design Features

In addition to the Project regulatory requirements and proposed water system described above, theApplicantwould implementanadditionalProjectDesignFeaturethatwouldprovideadditionalsafetyandreduce potential impacts on the service demand of the LAFD. The following Project Design Featurepresented in Section 4.J Transportation and Circulation are applicable to maintaining adequate responsetimesassociatedwithfireprotectionandemergencymedicalservices:

ThefollowingProjectDesignFeatureisproposedforfiresafety:

PDF‐TRAF‐1:ConstructionManagementPlan: Prior to the issuanceofabuildingpermit for theProject,adetailedConstructionManagementPlanincludingstreetclosureinformation,adetourplan,haulroutes,andastagingplanwouldbepreparedandsubmittedtotheCityfor review and approval. The Construction Management Plan would formalize howconstructionwouldbecarriedoutandidentifyspecificactionsthatwouldberequiredtoreduceeffectsonthesurroundingcommunity.TheConstructionManagementPlanshallbe based on the nature and timing of the specific construction activities and otherprojects in the vicinity of the Project Site, and shall include, but not be limited to, thefollowingelementsasappropriate:



Advance, bilingual notification of adjacent property owners and occupants ofupcomingconstructionactivities,includingdurationsanddailyhoursofoperation.

Prohibitionofconstructionworkerorequipmentparkingonadjacentstreets.

Temporarypedestrian,bicycle,andvehicular trafficcontrolsduringallconstructionactivities adjacent to Figueroa Street, Flower Street, Olympic Boulevard and 11thStreet, toensuretrafficsafetyonpublicrightsofway. Thesecontrolsshall include,but not be limited to, flag people trained in pedestrian and bicycle safety at theProjectSite’sFigueroaStreet,FlowerStreet,andOlympicBoulevarddriveways.

Temporarytrafficcontrolduringallconstructionactivitiesadjacenttopublicrights‐of‐way to improve traffic flow on public roadways (e.g., flag men). Scheduling ofconstruction activities to reduce the effect on traffic flow on surrounding arterialstreets.

PotentialsequencingofconstructionactivityforPhase1andPhase2oftheProjecttoreducetheamountofconstruction‐relatedtrafficonarterialstreets.

ContainconstructionactivitygenerallywithintheProjectSiteboundaries.

Construction‐related vehicles/equipment shall not park on surrounding publicstreets.

Coordinationwith LADOT to address any overlapping of constructionwith theMyFigueroaProject.

CoordinationwithMetrotoaddressanyconstructionneartherailroadROW.

Safetyprecautionsforpedestriansandbicycliststhroughsuchmeasuresasalternateroutingonthesouthsideof11thStreet,thenorthsideofOlympicBoulevard,andeastside of Flower Street, a pedestrian canopy along Figueroa Street, and protectionbarriers/fencing along Figueroa Street, 11th Street, Flower Street, and OlympicBoulevardshallbeimplementedasappropriate.

Scheduling of construction‐relateddeliveries, haul trips, etc., so as to occur outsidethecommuterpeakhourstotheextentfeasible.

d. Project Impacts

ThresholdFIRE‐1: The Project would have a significant impact on fire protection if it requires theadditionofanewfirestation,ortheexpansion,consolidation,orrelocationofanexistingfacilitytomaintainservice,constructionofwhichwouldresultinasubstantialadversephysicalimpactontheenvironment.

ImpactStatementFIRE‐1:TheProjectwouldnotrequiretheadditionofanewfirestationortheexpansion,consolidation,orrelocationofanexistingfirestationtomaintainserviceduetocompliancewithStateandCity regulatory requirementsandguidelines thataddress emergency response times, emergencyaccess, fire flow, and fire safety aswell as the implementation of ProjectDesign Feature related toconstructiontrafficmanagementandMitigationMeasureMM‐FIRE‐1relatedtoLAFDrequirementsforhydrantspecifications.Impactswouldbelessthansignificant.

(1) Construction Impacts

Constructionactivitiesassociatedwiththedemolitionoftheexistingon‐sitestructuresandtheconstructionoftheProjectmaytemporarilyincreasethedemandforfireprotectionandemergencymedicalservices,and



maycausetheoccasionalexposureofcombustiblematerials,suchaswood,plastics,sawdust,coveringsandcoatings, to heat sources including machinery and equipment sparking, exposed electrical lines, weldingactivities, and chemical reactions in combustible materials and coatings. However, in compliance withOccupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and Fire and Building Code requirements,constructionmanagers andpersonnelwould be trained in fire prevention and emergency response. Firesuppression equipment specific to construction would be maintained on‐site. Additionally, Projectconstruction would comply with applicable existing codes and ordinances related to the maintenance ofmechanical equipment, handling and storage of flammable materials, and cleanup of spills of flammablematerials.Therefore,Projectconstructionimpactsonthedemandforfireprotectionandemergencymedicalserviceswouldbelessthansignificant.

ProjectconstructionactivitiescouldalsopotentiallyaffectemergencyresponsetimesandemergencyaccesstotheProjectSiteandthevicinityduetoProjectconstructiontrafficandtemporarylaneclosures.However;aConstructionTrafficManagementPlanwouldbe implementedtominimizedisruptionstothroughtrafficflowandmaintainemergencyvehicleaccesstotheProjectSiteandneighboringlanduses(PDFTRAF‐1).Asdescribed in the Construction Traffic Management Plan, construction workers would be prohibited fromparkingonadjacentstreets;temporarypedestrian,bicycle,andvehiculartrafficcontrolswouldbeprovidedduring all construction activities adjacent to Figueroa Street, Flower Street, Olympic Boulevard and 11thStreet, toensuretrafficsafetyonpublicrightsofway.Thesecontrolswouldinclude,butnotbelimitedto,flagpeople trained inpedestrianandbicyclesafetyat theProjectSite’sFigueroaStreet,FlowerStreetandOlympicBoulevarddriveways;temporarytrafficcontrolprovidedduringallconstructionactivitiesadjacenttopublicrights‐of‐way;temporarytrafficcontrolduringallconstructionactivitiesadjacenttopublicrights‐of‐waytoimprovetrafficflowonpublicroadways;schedulingofconstructionactivitiestoreducetheeffecton traffic flow on surrounding arterial streets; prohibiting of construction‐related vehicles/equipmentparking on surrounding public streets; safety precautions for pedestrians and bicyclists through suchmeasuresasalternate routingandprotectionbarriers shallbe implementedasappropriate; schedulingofconstruction‐relateddeliveries,haultrips,etc.,soastooccuroutsidethecommuterpeakhourstotheextentfeasible;andpotentialsequencingofconstructionactivityforPhase1andPhase2oftheProjecttoreducetheamountofconstruction‐relatedtrafficonarterialstreets.

Furthermore, Project construction activitieswould be temporary and intermittent, and construction haulroutes would require approval by the Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT) prior toconstruction.Therefore,Projectconstructionwouldnotresultinsubstantialadverseimpactstoemergencyresponsetimesandemergencyaccess.

Lastly,as indicated inTable4.I.1‐1, fourLAFDfirestationsare locatedwithin1.3milesof theProjectSite,including Fire Station 10 located 0.9mile to the southeast. These four fire stations collectivelymeet theLAFD’sfirstindistancestandardstotheProjectSiteof1.0milesforanenginecompanyand1.5milesforatruckcompany. Basedontheabove,Projectconstructionimpactsonfireprotectionfacilities,servicesandresponsetimeswouldbelessthansignificant.

(2) Operation

(a) Fire Protection Facilities, Services, and Response Times

The Project would replace the existing 178‐room Luxe City Center Hotel (Luxe Hotel) and surroundingsurfaceparking lotswithamixed‐usedevelopment in three towersandaPodiumthatwould include300



hotel rooms, 650 residential condominium units, approximately 80,000 sf of retail, restaurant, and othercommercialuses,andundergroundparking.ThisdevelopmentwouldintroduceanewresidentpopulationattheProjectSite,andwouldincreasethenumberofhotelguests,employees,andvisitorsattheProjectSite,whichwouldincreasethedemandforfireprotectionandemergencymedicalservicesfromLAFD.

Aspreviouslydiscussed,theadequacyof fireprotectionandemergencymedicalserviceforagivenareaisbased on distance and response times from existing fire stations, required fire‐flow, and the LAFD’sassessmentofthecapacityofthelocalfirestationstorespondtoincidentsinthearea.

Fire Station 10 is located closest to the Project Site (0.9 miles) and would be the first due in station torespondtoanemergency.AdditionalbackupresponsetotheProjectSiteisprovidedbyFireStations9,3,and11.Basedontherequiredfireflowof6,000‐9,000gpmidentifiedfortheProjectbytheLAFD,thesefourfire stations collectivelymeet theLAFD’s first indistance standards to theProject Siteof 1.0miles for anenginecompany(e.g.,theenginecompanyatFireStation9)and1.5milesforatruckcompany(e.g.,thetruckcompany at each of the four fire stations).22 Based on these distance criteria, and on the equipment andstaffinglevelsateachofthefirestationssetforthinTable4.I.1‐1,theLAFDhasdeterminedthatexistingfireprotection resources are “adequate” to serve the Project, but that Project operationwould incrementallyincreasetheneedforemergencymedicalservicesinthearea.23

TheProjectwouldcomplywiththeapplicableBuildingCode,FireCode,otherLAMC,andLAFDrequirementsincluding: the provision of fire resistant doors, materials, walkways, stairwells, and elevator systems(including emergency and fire control elevators); installation of automatic sprinkler systems, smokedetectors, signage, fire alarms, building emergency communication systems, smoke control systems;implementation of an Emergency SafetyPlan; compliancewith LAFD fire apparatus andpersonnel accessrequirements (including those listed in LAFD’s March 30, 2016 correspondence); water systems androadway improvements improved to the satisfaction of the LAFD; Division 5 permits for any private firehydrants;andLAFDreviewandapprovalofdefinitiveplansandspecifications.

Furthermore, the Project would be designed and constructed in accordance with applicable regulationsdesignedtominimizethedemandforLAFDfireprotectionandEMSfacilitiesandservices,includingbutnotlimited to: constructionofProjectstructures toUBCandLABCType IAconstruction,withall thekey firesafetyrequirementsoftheLABCassociatedwithsuchconstructionsuchaselevator/stairwellrequirements,fire resistance ratings, and interior finishes; provisionof emergency systems, including but not limited toredundant fire pump, power, and rooftop water storage tanks in each tower; provision of exit signage,lighting,andluminousegresspathmarkings;andprovisionoffireflowasrequiredbytheLAFC.GiventheseregulatoryrequirementsandtheProjectDesignFeature,andgiventheLAFD’sdeterminationthatexistingfireprotectionresourcesare“adequate”toservetheProject24, theincremental increaseindemandforfireprotectionandEMSresultingfromProjectoperationwouldnotbesubstantialenoughtorequireanewfirestation,ortheexpansion,consolidation,orrelocationofanexistingfirestation,tomaintainexistingservicelevels.

22 JohnN.Vidovich,FireMarshall,BureauofFirePreventionandPublicSafety,LAFD,correspondencedatedMarch30,2016,included

inAppendixI‐1ofthisDraftEIR.23 Ibid.24 Ibid.



Nonewfirestationwithin thedowntownarea isproposedat this time.25Even ifanewfirestation,or theexpansion, consolidation, or relocation of a station was determined to be warranted by LAFD, and wasforeseeable, the downtown area is highly developed, and the site of a fire station or expansion of a firestationwouldlikelybeonaninfilllotthatwouldlikelybelessthananacreinsize. Developmentofafirestation on a site of less than an acre is unlikely to result in significant unavoidable impacts, and projectsinvolvingtheconstructionorexpansionofafirestationaretypicallyaddressedindependentlypursuanttoCEQA.Accordingly,theneedforadditionalfireprotectionservicesaspartofanunplannedfirestationatthistimeisnotanenvironmentalimpactthattheProjectisrequiredtomitigate.

Based on the distancing criteria, compliance with LAFD requirements, and the LAFD letter, the Projectwould not require the addition of a new fire facility, or the expansion, consolidation, or relocation of anexisting facility in order to maintain service. As such, the potential for physical impacts associated withconstructionoffireservicefacilitiesareconsideredlessthansignificant.

TheProject‐relatedincreaseintrafficonsurroundingroadwayscouldpotentiallyaffectemergencyresponsetimesinthearea. Anumberof factorswouldserveto facilitateresponsestoemergencycalls. Emergencyresponse isroutinely facilitated,particularly forhighprioritycalls, throughuseofsirenstoclearapathoftravel,driving in the lanesofopposing traffic,useofalternate routes,andmultiple stationresponse. TheProjectvicinityisalsowellservedbytheLAFD,includingnotonlyfromFireStations10,9,11and3,butbytwo additional LAFD fire stations in the area including Fire Station 13 located at 2401 W. Pico Streetapproximately 1.4 miles northwest the Project Site, and Fire Station 4 located at 450 E Temple Streetapproximately 1.7miles northeast of the Project Site. Also, because of the grid pattern of the local streetsystemandtheproximitytomultiplefreeways,eachofthesesixfirestationshavemultipleroutesavailabletorespondtoemergencycallsattheProjectSiteandinthesurroundingarea.

Furthermore,thereareanumberofadditionalfactorsthatinfluenceemergencyresponsetimesinadditionto proximity, emergency response routes and traffic, including alarm transfer time, alarm answering andprocessing time, mobilization time, risk appraisal, signals, and roadway characteristics. The LAFD hasrecentlybeentakinganumberofstepstoimprovetheirrelatedsystems,processesandpractices.Upgradesrecently completed or pending include: installation of automated vehicle locating systems on all LAFDapparatus;replacementoffirestationalertingsystemsthatcontrolfirestationdispatchaudio,signallights,and other fire station alerting hardware and software; development of a new computer aided dispatchsystem to manage fire and emergency medical service incidents from initial report to conclusion of anincident;and,useoftrafficpre‐emptionsystems.Atrafficpre‐emptionsystemallowsthenormaloperationoftrafficlightstobepreemptedbyanemergencyvehicletoimproveresponsetimesbystoppingconflictingtrafficinadvance,providingtheemergencyvehicletheright‐of‐way.26

Finally,asindicatedinTable4.I.1‐2,responsetimestotheProjectSitefromallfourfirestationsservingtheProject Site are well within the LAFD’s response time standards of 5:00minutes for 90 percent of EMSresponsesand5:20minutes for90percentofnon‐EMSresponses. Assuch, giventhecloseproximity tofourfirestations,thegridpatternofthelocalstreetsystemwhichprovidesmultipleroutesforemergency

25 Los Angeles Fire Department, Los Angeles 2000 Prop F Fire Facilities Bond, Progress Report Feb‐March 2016

http://eng.lacity.org/projects/fire_bond/documents/current_monthly_report.pdf,accessedApril2016.26 Patrick I.Butler,Assistant Chief, SpecialOperationsDivision, LosAngeles FireDepartment, PreliminaryReport –Task Force on

InformationandDataAnalysis,November2,2012.



response, and the other factors listed above, the Projectwould not have a substantial adverse impact onemergencyresponsetimes.

Basedon theabove,Projectoperational impactson fireprotection facilities, servicesand responses timeswouldbelessthansignificant.

(b) Emergency Access

EmergencyaccesstotheProjectSiteisprovidedbythefourstreetsborderingtheProjectSite,includingW.OlympicBoulevardon thenorth,W.11thStreeton thesouth,S.FlowerStreeton theeast,andS.FigueroaStreetonthewest.TheProjectwouldprovideFireDepartmentaccessroadways,firelanes,buildingaccess,andemergencydirectionalsignageasrequiredbytheLABCandLAMC.Furthermore,theProjectwouldbesubject to the review and approval of the LAFD for compliance with emergency access requirements,includingbutnotlimitedtothefirefightingpersonnelandfirefightingapparatusaccessrequirementslistedin the LAFD’s March 30, 2016 correspondence, prior to the issuance of building permits. 27 Therefore,adequateemergencyaccesswouldbeprovided,andtheimpactwouldbelessthansignificant.

(c) Water Infrastructure/Fire Flow for Firefighting Services

Fire flow requirements are closely related to land use, since the quantity of water necessary for fireprotectionvarieswiththetypeofdevelopment, lifehazard,occupancy,andthedegreeof firehazard. TheLAFDhasdeterminedthattherequiredfire flowfortheProjectwouldbe6,000to9,000gpm(total) fromfour to six firehydrants flowing simultaneouslywith a residualwaterpressureof 20psi.28 Based on theServiceAdvisoryRequest(SAR)fromtheCityofLosAngelescontainedinAppendixI‐2ofthisDraftEIR,theestimated flows at 20 psi are as follows: S. Figueroa Street, 2,000 gpm, 11th Street, 6,700 gpm, and W.OlympicBoulevard,8,400gpm.Therefore,itisdeemedthattherewouldbeadequatefireflowtoservetheProjectsincenotallfirehydrantsareservedbythesamemain.Asfurtherdescribedtherein,threeexistingpublicfirehydrantsabuttheProjectSite.29BasedontherequirementsfromtheLAFD,atleastonenewfirehydrantwouldberequired.Theamountandplacementofnewhydrant(s)wouldbedeterminedbytheLAFDandwouldbe installedby theLADWPaspartofProjectSitepreparationactivities.Furthermore, fire flowandinstallationofhydrantswouldbeincompliancewiththerequirementsofDivision9,Section57.09.06oftheFireCodeandsubjecttothereviewandapprovaloftheLAFD.Asadequatefireflowwouldbeavailableto serve the Project, and as the Project would be designed in compliance with applicable regulatoryrequirementsoftheFireCodesubjecttoreviewandapprovalbytheLAFD,Projectimpactswithrespecttofireflowrequirementswouldbelessthansignificant.

e. Cumulative Impacts

ImpactStatementFIRE‐2: TheProject’scontribution to impactson fireserviceswouldnotbecumulativelyconsiderable.AswiththecumulativeprojectstheProjectwouldberequiredtomeetapplicableLAFDand Fire Code requirements, including those associated with fire flow, site design and site access.Cumulativeimpactswouldbelessthansignificant.

27 JohnN.Vidovich,FireMarshall,BureauofFirePreventionandPublicSafety,LAFD,correspondencedatedMarch30,2016,included

inAppendixI‐1ofthisDraftEIR.28 Ibid.29 Ibid.



Chapter3,GeneralDescriptionofEnvironmentalSettingofthisDraftEIR,identifies116cumulativeprojectsthatareanticipatedtobedevelopedintheProjectvicinity.Ofthese,96arelocatedwithintheserviceareasofthesamefourLAFDfirestationsthatwouldservetheProject(e.g.,FireStations10,9,3,and11)asshownin Table 4.I.1‐3, Cumulative Projects for Fire Protection. These cumulative projects would cumulativelygenerate, in conjunction with the Project, the need for additional fire protection and emergencymedicalservicesfromthesefirestations.

AlthoughtherewouldbecumulativedemandonLAFDservices,cumulative impactsonfireprotectionandemergencymedicalserviceswouldbereducedthroughregulatorycomplianceandsitespecificdesignandsafety requirements, similar to the project. All cumulative projects are located in a developed, urbanizedareawithinanacceptabledistancetooneormoreexistingfirestations. Eachcumulativeprojectwouldbesubject to the required reviewby theLAFD for compliancewithFireCode andBuildingCode regulationsrelated to emergency response, emergency access, fire flow, and fire safety that would reduce potentialimpactstofireprotectionandemergencyservices.Project‐by‐projecttrafficmitigation,multiplefirestationresponse, and systemwideupgrades to improve response times, andother requirements imposedby theLAFD,areexpectedtohelpsupportadequateresponsetimes.AsdiscussedabovefortheProject,LAFDhasno known or proposed plans to expand their Downtown fire facilities.30 If a new fire station, or theexpansion,consolidation,orrelocationofastationwasdeterminedtobewarrantedbyLAFD,theDowntownarea ishighlydeveloped,andthesiteofa firestationwould likelybean infill lot thatwould likelybe lessthananacre insize. Developmentofa stationat this scale isunlikely to result insignificantunavoidableimpacts, and projects involving the construction or expansion of a fire station are typically addressedindependentlypursuanttoCEQA. Further,theprotectionofpublicsafetyisthefirstresponsibilityof localgovernmentandlocalofficialshaveanobligationtogiveprioritytotheprovisionofadequatepublicsafetyservices,whicharetypicallyfinancedthroughtheCitygeneral funds.ThroughtheCity’sregularbudgetingefforts,LAFD’s resourceneedswouldbe identifiedandmoniesallocatedaccording to theprioritiesat thetime.Accordingly,theneedforadditionalfireprotectionservicesaspartofanunplannedfirestationatthistimeisnotanenvironmentalimpactthattheProjectwouldberequiredtomitigate.

Basedontheaboveconsiderations,theProjectwouldnotmakeacumulativelyconsiderablecontributiontocumulativeimpactsassociatedwiththeconstructionofnewfirefacilities.

4. MITIGATION MEASURES

Potential impacts to fire protection and emergency medical services would be less than significant.Therefore, no mitigation measures are required. However, the following mitigation measure isrecommendedtoensurecompliancewithLAFDrequirements.

MM‐FIRE‐1: Fire Hydrant. Based on an assessment of LAFD requirements, at least one new firehydrantwillberequiredtoservetheProject.PriortotheconstructionoftheProject,theApplicantshallprovidetheLAFDspecifications,includingbutnotlimitedto,thenumberand placement of fire hydrants for each phase of the Project pursuant to Division 9,Section 57.09.06 of the Fire Code. The number, placement of new hydrant(s), andassociatedspecifications,shallbesubjecttoLAFDreviewandapproval,withinstallation

30 Los Angeles Fire Department, Los Angeles 2000 Prop F Fire Facilities Bond, Progress Report Feb‐March 2016

http://eng.lacity.org/projects/fire_bond/documents/current_monthly_report.pdf,accessedApril2016.



of such improvements undertaken by LADWP as part of Project Site preparationactivities.

5. LEVEL OF SIGNIFICANCE AFTER MITIGATION

Impacts to fire protection and emergency medical services would be less than significant withimplementationofProjectDesignFeatures,compliancewiththeLAMCFireCodeandBuildingCode,theLosAngeles General Plan Framework Element and Safety Element, and all other applicable ordinances andrequirements.Implementationofthemitigationmeasurepresentedabovewouldfurtherensureappropriateimplementation of the Project pursuant to Fire Code requirements such that impactswould be less thansignificant.

Table 4.I.1‐3

Cumulative Projects for Fire Protection

No.a Project Description Address Nearest Fire Station

1 LATimesTechCollegeFiveYearMasterPlan 400W.WashingtonBlvd. 10

3 TentenWilshireExpansion 1027W.WilshireBlvd. 11

5 NortheastTower(Mixed‐Use) 215W.9thSt. 9

6 AmaconProject 1133S.HopeSt. 10

7 Mixed‐Use 745S.SpringSt. 9

9 11th&HillProject 1115S.HillSt. 10

10 StanfordRegencyPlaza 810E.PicoBlvd. 9

11 Bixel&LucasProject 1102W.6thSt. 11

12 ApartmentProject(Figueroa&Adams) 2455S.FigueroaSt. 10

13 8th/Hope/GrandProject 609W.8thSt. 3

14 Condominiums 1340S.OliveSt. 10

15 ApexPhII 700W.9thSt. 10

16 TheReef‐LAMart/SOLAVillage 1900S.Broadway 10

17 Office 1130W.WilshireBlvd. 11

18 Mixed‐Use(GlassTowerProject) 1050S.GrandAve. 10

19 EmbassyTower 848S.GrandAve. 10

21 OakVillageResidencesProject 902W.WashingtonBlvd. 10

23 WilshireGrandProject 900W.WilshireBlvd. 3

24 WashingtonBlvd.Opportunity‐MercyHousing 220E.WashingtonBlvd. 10

25 USCChildren'sCreativeLearningCenter 2716S.SeveranceSt. 10

26 Mixed‐Use 2100S.FigueroaSt. 10

27 Clinicat7th&Wall 649S.WallSt. 9

29 Residential&PublicParkingProject 619S.WestlakeAve. 11

30 Mixed‐Use 1435W.3rdSt. 3

31 GrandAvenue(ParcelM‐2Rev) 237S.GrandAve. 3

32 MetropolisMixed‐Use 899S.FranciscoSt. 10

33 1500S.Figueroa‐MU 1500S.FigueroaSt. 10

36 Apartments 1027S.OliveSt. 10

37 SPR‐MixedUse(Onyx) 1306S.HopeSt. 10


Table 4.I.1‐3 (Continued)




38 Mixed‐Use 928S.Broadway 9

39 G12Mixed‐Use 1200S.GrandAve. 10

40 Mixed‐Use(ValenciaProject) 1501W.WilshireBlvd. 11

41 Mixed‐Use 534S.MainSt. 9

42 Mixed‐Use 840S.OliveSt. 9

43 Mixed‐Use 710S.GrandAve. 3

45 TheCityMarket(Mixed‐Use) 1057S.SanPedroSt. 9

46 1700W.OlympicHotel 1700W.OlympicBlvd. 11

47 Mixed‐Use 233W.WashingtonBlvd. 10

49 1001S.OliveStreet 1001S.OliveSt. 10

50 Mixed‐Use 1000S.GrandAve. 10

51 HillStreetMixed‐Use 920S.HillSt. 9

52 BroadwayMixed‐Use 955S.Broadway 9

53 Mixed‐Use 801S.Olive 9

54 Flower(1212)Mixed‐Use 1212W.FlowerSt. 10

55 Olympic&OliveMixed‐UseProject 960S.OliveSt. 10

56 Mixed‐Use 820S.OliveSt. 9

57 Mixed‐Use 601S.MainSt. 9

58 1230SouthOliveStreet 1230S.OliveSt. 10

59 1120S.GrandAve.&1155S.OliveSt. 1120S.GrandAve.&1155S.OliveSt. 10

60 2005‐CEN‐2347WilshireCoronado 2525WilshireBlvd. 11

61 DaVinciApartments 327N.FremontAve. 3

62 Mixed‐Use 820S.HooverSt. 11

63 AlexanSouthBroadway 850S.HillSt. 9

64 Beverly&LucasProject 1430W.BeverlyBlvd. 3

66 Mixed‐Use 1329W.7thSt. 11

67 CharterHighSchool 1552W.RockwoodSt. 3

68 Mixed‐Use(HeraldExaminer) 1111S.Broadway 10

69 Mixed‐Use 1148S.Broadway 10

70 Apartments 1247S.GrandAve 10

71 1400S.FigueroaSt.Residential 1400S.FigueroaSt. 10

72 LegalAidFoundationofL.A. 1550W.8thSt. 11

73 VarietyArts(Mixed‐Use) 940S.FigueroaSt. 10

74 Restaurant 1036GrandAve. 10

75 Mixed‐Use 1335W.1stSt. 3

76 Residential 459S.HartfordAve. 11

77 Residential 401N.BoylstonSt. 3

78 Mixed‐Use 1150W.WilshireBlvd. 11


80 Apartments 1218W.IngrahamSt. 11


Table 4.I.1‐3 (Continued)




81 Condominiums 742S.HartfordAve. 11


84 RestaurantandBar 1728W.7thSt. 11


87 Apartments 422S.LakeSt. 11

88 SapphireMixed‐Use 1111W.6thSt. 11

92 940SHillMU 940S.HillSt. 9

94ConventionCenterModernizationandFarmersField

NWcornerFigueroaSt.&VeniceBlvd. 10

95 FigCentral 1101S.FlowerSt. 10


97 Circa(1200FigueroaProject) 1200S.FigueroaSt. 10

98 813E.5thSt. 813E5thSt. 9

99 1201S.GrandAve. 1201S.GrandAve. 10

100 HoxtonHotel 1060S.Broadway 10

101 LizardIn 633S.SpringSt. 9

102 888S.HopeSt. 888S.HopeSt. 10

103 950S.Broadway 950S.Broadway 9

104 ForestCity/SouthPark(1) 110S.HillSt.&1200Broadway 10

105 SouthPark SECornerof9thSt.&FigueroaSt. 10

108 BroadwayTradeCenter 801S.Broadway 9

109 TheGrand SEcornerofGrandAve./1stSt. 3

110 537S.Broadway 537S.Broadway 9

112 FreehandHotel 416W.8thSt. 9

113 GianniniPlace 649S.OliveSt. 3

114 MarriottExpansion 900W.OlympicBlvd. 10

115 ProperHotel 1106S.Broadway 10116 OlympicTower 811W.OlympicBlvd. 10

a Corresponds with Map Nos. on Figure 3‐1 of this Draft EIR. Source: PCR Services Corporation, May 2016.

4.i.1 fire protection - la city planning · (1) fire protection facilities, services, and response...

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