Not to mention how much I spent on those damn concert tix last time!!

Actually, Portfolio magazine has a great article about how Britney Spears is stimulating the economy, generating $110-120 million for hard-working Americans such as yourself:

http://www.portfolio.com/culture-lifestyle/culture-inc/arts/2008/01/14/Britney-Spears-Career-Analysis/

Jason,

In the interest of accuracy, along with the single LAFD Paramedic ambulance, there were ultimately three LAFD supervisors assigned to the incident you mention. An EMS Captain, a Battalion Chief and later, an Assistant Chief.

There was also a long and sleepless night for many of us behind the scenes, including Firefighters at several uninvolved Fire Stations across the City, who were awakened over and over by telephone calls from the tabloid media across the globe seeking information and commentary. Calls the media insisted, could not wait for morning.

Please keep an eye on the mainstream media and especially letters to the Editor, as the backstory of this incident plays out in a multitude of forums.

While people may not be engaged in current political affairs, it sure seems that *everyone* has an opinion on the subject you mention (see, I didn’t say her name once!).

Please keep up the always enjoyable and often thought provoking contributions to b/la.

Respectfully Yours in Safety and Service,

Brian Humphrey
Firefighter/Specialist
Public Service Officer
Los Angeles Fire Department

Brian -

Thank you for giving us more insight on this. No doubt many of L.A.’s bravest and finest are sick of this crap. Surely, it isn’t what many of you signed up for.

Who is responsible for assigning 3 supervisors to this “incident?” God forbid there was an actual fire somewhere.

Next time just dump her on skid row.

Why don’t they just put her in padded cell, and throw away the key. Why all the choppers and stuff? what a waste of our tax dollars, she should foot the bill for every dollar spent,
taking her nutty ass back and forth to the hospital.

Why don’t they just put her in padded cell, and throw away the key. Why all the choppers and stuff? what a waste of our tax dollars, she should foot the bill for every dollar spent,
taking her nutty ass back and forth to the hospital. Holy Crap!

Why don’t they just put her in padded cell, and throw away the key. Why all the choppers and stuff? what a waste of our tax dollars, she should foot the bill for every dollar spent,
taking her nutty ass back and forth to the hospital. Holy Crap!

Second thought, I like the Skid Row ideal better.

Jason,

The Paramedic-staffed ambulance and EMS Captain (their medico-legal supervisor) are considered the minimal assignment for this type of incident. These LAFD members are focused on *TASKS*.

The addition of a Battalion Chief (department manager for that community) to such events is commonplace, most often to assure safety, coordination with allied agencies and oversight. This LAFD member is focused on *OBJECTIVES*, and assures that all are met while the aforementioned are rightfully focused on tasks.

The much ‘later that night’ arrival of the high-ranking Assistant Chief (the Battalion Chief’s supervisor) was focused on making certain that everything went according to plan, as this LAFD member is focused on *GOALS*.

While it is rare to have an Assistant Chief on such a call, the many allegations against Police and Fire personnel (including ‘they blocked my shot’) during a previous response to that location, assures that the rights of all (yes, including friends, family and neighbors) are respected and any allegations addressed by a high-ranking official forthwith.

Please rest assured that the Battalion and Assistant Chief were not improperly seeking involvement, but instead proactively addressing the multitude of issues that this unique incident may have created.

Both the community Battalion Chief and regional Assistant Chief were on-duty at the time, and remained available for response for any nearby major events.

Respectfully Yours in Safety and Service,

Brian Humphrey
Firefighter/Specialist
Public Service Officer
Los Angeles Fire Department

Can the city bill her for the service? It would seem like that should be SOP in a case like this.

The Los Angeles Fire Department is directed by law to bill all persons who are transported by ground ambulance a consistent and customary fee (also specified and approved by City elected leaders) that parallels what commercial ambulance providers charge in our region.

All monies collected from LAFD services are submitted directly to the City’s General Fund. There is no percentage or direct monetary benefit to LAFD staff or budget.

The LAFD does not have an autocratic legal ability to directly levy *punitive* fees against any person or entity.

Other than pre-established penalties clearly outlined in Code and approved through due process, such as fees for failure comply with brush clearance requirements, punitive legal actions are instituted by or through the City Attorney’s Office.

The person in question will indeed be sent a bill for routine ambulance transport.

I hope this information helps.

Respectfully Yours in Safety and Service,

Brian Humphrey
Firefighter/Specialist
Public Service Officer
Los Angeles Fire Department

Another ridiculous post. What “extra” money was spent on this case? Or did our brave men and women of the city services bill the city for overtime in this case? I would not be surprised. Wasn’t everyone on duty, anyway, getting paid pretty well? I love all the comments of putting Spears on skid row or in a padded cell. How soon we forgot all the stories here in this site saying how inhumane and outrageous it is for hospitals to dump people there. But I guess when someone tries to make a joke out of it, it is okay. Idiots.

You know what, you want her to go away – stop writing stories about her, stop buying magazines with her on the cover, stop looking at celeb sites which feature her photos, stop watching Entertainment Tonight’s “Specials.” We are all responsible for this, because we create the market – for the photographs and videos and such, that come out of all these events. It is a vicious cycle.

Reading everyone here being so all high-and-mighty about this is just so damn funny. Where is the post about Heath Ledger being a drug addict who got what he deserved?

Thanks, Brian. Very informative, as usual. I, among others, really appreciate the deeper insight into issues like this that you’re able to provide.

And people wonder why I’m voting NO on Prop S….

The Ugly American,

Amen.

Brian, thank you very much for the specific information about how this all works, and especially about the unfortunate calls in the middle of the night. I hope the gentlemen who were awakened used a few terse words about the situation…

Keep up the great work.

LEAVE BRITTTTTTNEY AAAAALLLLLOOOOOOONNNNEEE!

YOU BASTARDS.