Public safety committee approves two-year Clean Harbors contract for LAFD hazardous-waste services; councilmember to seek RFP safeguards

The Los Angeles City Public Safety Committee on June 4 approved a two-year agreement authorizing the Los Angeles Fire Department to contract with Clean Harbors Environmental Services Incorporated for routine and emergency hazardous-waste management at LAFD facilities. The contract was approved by voice vote with four ayes and no recorded no votes.

The contract term runs from July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2026, with a one-year contingency extension “as needed,” officials said. Councilmember John Lee, the committee chair, moved to approve the agreement; the motion was seconded and approved with Councilmembers Price, McOsker and Park also voting yes.

Committee members and department staff described the approval as a measure to keep fire stations and LAFD operations in compliance while the city proceeds with longer-term procurement. “I just wanted clarity on the record,” Councilmember McOsker said during discussion, adding that the extra year was intended “largely for closeout purposes for whatever invoicing or payments we can't resolve by June 2026.”

McOsker said she intends to bring a separate motion to initiate a formal request-for-proposals process for future hazardous-waste services. She outlined elements she will seek to include in the RFP: a full list of worker environmental and safety records including injuries; available grievance procedures for company employees; a comprehensive work history noting any removals for unsatisfactory performance; customer complaints and names of customers; outstanding lawsuits or claims, including any registered violations with DTSC; and labor and expert management participation in the RFP evaluation process. “I'm going to ask that we have labor and expert management involved in the RFP evaluation process,” McOsker said.

LAFD representatives were present for questions but did not present a formal slide deck during the committee hearing. Staff clarified that the optional one-year extension could only be used if necessary and if funding were available.

The committee record shows the Board of Fire Commissioners delivered a report recommending authorization of the agreement; committee members voted to approve the authorization as listed. No contract number was specified in the discussion.

The committee adjourned after concluding the item. The contract approval will allow Clean Harbors to provide routine and emergency hazardous-waste management services to LAFD stations while the city moves forward with additional procurement steps and any forthcoming RFP required by council members.