On November 7, 2023, the County of Los Angeles Fire Department (LACoFD) announced the Board of Supervisors approved appointments of the following chief officers, Deputy Fire Chiefs Robert L. Harris and Albert T. Yanagisawa.
Chief Harris has an impressive career of 31 years with the LACoFD, beginning in 1992, and has a total of 37 years of experience in the fire service. Over the past three decades, he’s made many impactful contributions and promoted through the ranks becoming the Deputy Fire Chief of the Training and Emergency Medical Services Bureau. Throughout his tenure he’s served as an Incident Commander, California Task Force 2 Commander, International Urban Search and Rescue Task Force Leader, Technical Operations Battalion chief for global disasters, and many more key roles in the Department. His leadership and experience have been demonstrated in his numerous deployments, reimagining the LACoFD Explorer Program, and serving as an integral partner in the LACoFD’s core strategies and initiatives for diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Chief Harris served as past President of the Los Angeles County Stentorians and fulfilled the role as an Executive Board Member for eight years. He’s a graduate of the Carl Holmes Executive Development Institute at Dillard University and expects to receive a bachelor’s degree in Fire Administration from Columbia University in Spring of 2024. During his spare time, Chief Harris is a parent and husband, rides motorcycles with friends and colleagues, and mentor youth and adults seeking a career in the fire service.
Chief Yanagisawa has an impressive career of 23 years with the LACoFD, beginning in 2000. Prior to 2000, he dedicated 16 years of experience in the private sector. Throughout his career, he’s promoted through the ranks becoming the Deputy Fire Chief of the Prevention Services Bureau. He has a diverse background in fire prevention, driver training, incident command system training, wellness fitness, and peer support.
Chief Yanagisawa is the founder and current President of the LACoFD Asian Pacific Islander Association, Incident Commander trainee for Incident Management Team 3, Chair of the National Fire Protection Association Committee for firefighter respiratory protection, Co-Chair of the LACoFD Innovation Steering Committee, LACoFD Uniform Committee Co-Chair, and a host of other committees. He’s a graduate of Purdue Global University with a bachelor’s degree in Fire and Emergency Management. In his spare time, Chief Yanagisawa is a parent and husband, enjoys aviation utilizing his private pilot’s license, boating and driving personal watercraft with his family, and being a mentor and resource to many persons within his community.
Please join the Department in congratulating Chief Harris and Chief Yanagisawa on their well-deserved appointments.
