Law firm investigates reports of Los Angeles fire chief deputy drunk on duty By CNS Author LOS ANGELES - The Los Angeles Fire Department said Monday that a law firm contracted by the City Attorney's Office is investigating reports of a senior administrative commander being under the influence of alcohol or drugs while on duty. The Los Angeles Times reported Monday that LAFD Chief Ralph Terrazas received a complaint that Chief Deputy Fred Mathis was intoxicated while on duty at the department's office at City Hall East as the department was battling the Palisades Fire in May. The department is required to promptly deal with employees who are suspected of being intoxicated, but records and interviews reviewed by The Times showed that the complaint about Mathis was not filed for three days.