FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 11, 2024

Contact: Esteban Garcia, Deputy Director of Communications

O: (213) 974-4444, C: (213) 304-9679, egarcia@bos.lacounty.gov

LA County Fire Department Will Hold First-ever Women's Fire Uniform & PPE Expo on Thursday

February motion by Supervisor Hahn tackled ill-fitting uniforms for County’s women firefighters

LA County women firefighters demonstrate issues with current gear during the Feb. 6 Board of Supervisors meeting

Monterey Park, CA – This Thursday March 14, the Los Angeles County Fire Department will hold its first-ever uniform and personal protective equipment expo specifically for their women firefighters and lifeguards. Vendors of uniform and PPE for women will display their products from 9am to 12pm. Last month, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved a motion authored by Supervisor Janice Hahn and coauthored by Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath that directed the LA County Fire Chief to work with the County's Chief Executive Officer and the Women’s Fire League to produce a plan to make work uniforms and PPE specific for womenfire fighters and lifeguards available to LACoFD employees.

Currently, women in the Los Angeles County Fire Department use uniforms and personal protective equipment designed for men’s bodies. Those ill-fitting uniforms and turnout gear leave women firefighters and lifeguards vulnerable to cancer due to exposure smoke and other carcinogens, and injuries due to the uniforms and gear constricting their movement.

“The brave women of our LA County Fire Department go to work every day to keep the public safe, all the while putting their own health and safety at greater risk. That stops now,” said Hahn. “This Expo is the first page of a new chapter for our women firefighters and lifeguards.”

After Hahn’s motion, the LA County Fire Department received numerous inquiries and offers from vendors who manufacture equipment designed for women. During Thursday’s Expo, women firefighters and lifeguards will have a chance to view products offered by approved vendors and then place orders using stipends provided by the Department for the purchase of uniforms and equipment.

Who:            Los Angeles County Fire Department Women Firefighters and Lifeguards

What:          LA County Fire Department Women’s Fire Uniform & PPE Expo

Where:        1255 Corporate Center Dr.

                      Monterey Park, CA, 91754

                      1st floor

When:         Thursday March 14

                      9am – 12pm

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