An L.A. Times investigation published in March revealed that a quarter of Compton firefighters aren't certified as emergency medical technicians. This prompted the county to strip most of Compton's firetrucks of automated external defibrillators, a device than can mean the difference between life and death for someone in cardiac arrest.
It was bad news for residents of Compton, but the revelation may lead to positive change. The fire chief who allowed the lapse was forced out in July, and interim Chief Bryan Batiste said he'll make sure all of his 74 firefighters are trained and certified as EMTs.