Rams' draft HQ at LAFD Air Ops base to honor wildfires first responders

The Los Angeles Rams will make their selections in the upcoming 2025 NFL Draft from the Los Angeles Fire Department's Air Operations base in Van Nuys to honor the first responders who stopped the deadly wildfires that ravaged Southern California earlier this year.

The Rams are converting a room in the Air Operations complex to serve as the draft headquarters for general manager Les Snead and coach Sean McVay, while an adjacent hangar will be occupied by scouts and coaches during the three-day draft next week. The LAFD base will remain fully operational during its visit from the Rams.

"Drafting from LAFD Air Operations is a powerful reminder of what it means to represent Los Angeles," Rams president Kevin Demoff said. "Since the wildfires devastated our region in January, we have looked to bring LA together to help with the recovery efforts, raise the spirits of those impacted and shine a light on our first responders. We are humbled to partner with LAFD during one of the NFL’s biggest moments to express gratitude for those who risk their lives daily to protect our city."

The Rams are also renovating the recreation room at the Air Operations base, leaving behind recliners and other improvements for the firefighters' resting areas. About 150 first responders from around the region will meet with McVay, Demoff and other Rams executives on Day 2 of the draft.

The wildfires had a significant impact on the Rams franchise. The team's training complex in the Woodland Hills neighborhood of Los Angeles was within a few miles of the Kenneth Fire in the western end of the San Fernando Valley, and some players and team personnel had to evacuate their homes as a precaution.

The fires were at their worst during the week before the