Laguna Beach Firefighters proudly endorse Alex Rounaghi, Sue Kempf, and Mark Orgill for re-election to city council

Why we endorse Alex Rounaghi –

The Laguna Beach Firefighters proudly endorse Alex Rounaghi for re-election to City Council.

Alex was Mayor when the Rancho Fire broke out above town last July. That fire was held to under five acres with no injuries and no homes lost — the result of fuel modification zones, HeloPods, and wildfire mitigation investments this City Council has funded.

Since his election in 2022, Councilmember Rounaghi has championed the city’s first new fire station in nearly 60 years, a new emergency operations center, and the undergrounding of hazardous overhead utility lines. He also led the ad hoc committee that produced our department’s strategic plan, which helped move Laguna Beach to an ISO Class 2 fire protection rating — putting this department in the top 10 percent nationwide.

Laguna Beach is at risk of losing its 24/7 Emergency Room, and Alex co-chairs the City’s hospital task force leading the effort to retain emergency services. He knows exactly what is at stake — he has ridden with our crews on those calls and stood in that ER with them. If Providence converts our ER to an urgent care, our paramedics will be driving critical patients 8.6 miles up the coast instead of a few blocks. This problem has no easy solution, but Alex has a record of delivering on complex issues, and he is the one we trust to deliver on this one.

In the years our members have served this city, we have never seen a City Council more focused on fire safety, and Alex Rounaghi has been part of that since his first day in office. Laguna Beach firefighters proudly join the many residents supporting his re-election

Why we endorse Sue Kempf –

The Laguna Beach Firefighters Association has endorsed the re-election of former Mayor Sue Kempf to City Council.

Sue Kempf has been instrumental in the development and execution of the City’s Wildfire Mitigation and Fire Safety program, a plan that was adopted in 2019 and enhanced with additional protections each subsequent year.

Thanks to Sue’s leadership and with the consistent and unanimous support of each Council on which she has served, the city has introduced heat seeking drones, AI heat sensors deployed broadly around the open space, expansion of outdoor warning systems throughout the town, helicopter dip tanks on the ridgelines, widening Bluebird Canyon Drive to improve ingress and egress, and robust evacuation drills by individual neighborhoods.

Sue had direct experience with two near miss fires, the Emerald and Coastal fires, when serving as Mayor in 2022. In both instances, Sue immediately stationed herself in the Emergency Operations Center to observe fire response actions and to ensure the community was receiving up-to-date, real time information. In 2023, Sue supported the self funded city-wide ambulance service, avoiding likely response time issues from commercial ambulance companies.

Laguna Beach firefighters, along with many residents, proudly support Sue Kempf’s bid for re-election in view of her steadfast commitment to keeping our community safe.

Why we endorse Mark Orgill –

The Laguna Beach Firefighters Association is proud to endorse Mayor Mark Orgill for reelection to the City Council. Mark has been a consistent and reliable advocate for public safety. He listens to our firefighters, understands the challenges of protecting a community with Laguna Beach’s unique terrain and limited evacuation routes, and works collaboratively to find practical solutions.

During his time on the City Council, Mark has supported stronger wildfire preparedness, improved emergency response capabilities, and the facilities and equipment our firefighters need to protect residents. He recognizes that preparedness is not a one-time project. It requires continued attention, planning and investment.

Laguna Beach firefighters trust Mark’s judgment and value his steady, thoughtful leadership. We proudly support his reelection and believe his continued service will help keep Laguna Beach prepared, resilient and safe,