LOS ANGELES : Panel Endorses Plan to Aid in Fighting Brush Fires

Looking to be better prepared for the next brush fire emergency, a committee of the Los Angeles City Council has endorsed a plan to increase city Fire Department funding and require that new swimming pools include hookups for fire hoses.

The five-point plan was submitted to the Public Safety Committee by Fire Chief Donald O. Manning in response to a request by Councilman Marvin Braude.

The plan, which would cost $11.6 million, will be considered next week by the council’s Budget and Finance Committee. Manning’s report calls for, among other things, restoration of $487,000 to the Fire Department’s budget to help inspect properties for brush clearance requirements, $1.35 million to provide emergency training for firefighters and $9.8 million to replace antiquated equipment.