OCFA says county fire response grew in 2024; Westminster saw thousands of medical calls, new detection tech credited

Orange County Fire Authority Division 1 Chief Kovi told the Westminster City Council on Jan. 22 that OCFA’s workload rose in 2024 and that the department both aided large wildfires in Los Angeles and maintained local readiness.

Chief Kovi said OCFA ran about 185,000 calls countywide in 2024, up from roughly 175,000 the prior year. In Westminster specifically, OCFA responded to 9,369 calls, about 7,000 of them medical, including an estimated 3,000 critical medical emergencies (roughly eight per day) and 98 structure fires. The council voted 4-0 to receive and file the year‑end report.

Kovi said OCFA deployed 275 firefighters and multiple strike teams to support the LA fires and sent damage inspectors, arson investigators and a FEMA human remains detection canine team. He noted the agency canceled most days off during the wind events, staffed additional strike teams, and operated an expanded department operations center.

Kovi highlighted new detection and prediction tools OCFA has developed and used. Cameras in wildland areas with artificial‑intelligence heat‑signature detection alerted dispatchers to two incidents before 911 calls, he said. OCFA also used an airborne intelligence platform tied to a UC San Diego supercomputer to model likely fire spread over three‑hour windows, which Kovi said helps prioritize evacuations and resource placement.

The chief described several local incidents from the year — garage, attic, multi‑unit and commercial fires — and stressed the importance of effective initial fire force. He said OCFA dispatches two battalion chiefs, four engine companies and two truck companies to every structure fire to achieve the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health / OSHA standby and rescue standards.

Council members raised water‑supply and hydrant questions. Council Member Mark Nguyen asked how often Westminster hydrants are tested; a city staff member identified as Public Works Director told the council the city has about 2,710 hydrants and performs operational checks on a two‑year cycle. The Public Works Director said the city’s relatively flat topography and multiple wells provide adequate pressure for firefighting in Westminster. Kovi agreed, saying Westminster’s water system and topography mean it is not vulnerable to the severe, hill‑and‑wind conditions that produced catastrophic losses elsewhere.

Kovi also reviewed local community‑risk reduction work: OCFA reported more than 1,000 safety inspections and broad participation in community events, including school visits and the Westminster safety day. He noted the department’s cadet programs and thanked Westminster for community support. The council asked for a return quarterly update; the council’s motion to receive and file the report passed 4-0.

The briefing included several operational reminders from the chief: unplug batteries after charging to reduce lithium‑ion fires, inspect attic HVAC and wiring, and for permittees using open‑flame cooking to observe wind restrictions in permit conditions.