Mayor Karen Bass’s Decision: Why Fire Chief Kristin Crowley Was Dismissed
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass announced on Friday, February 21st, the termination of Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Kristin Crowley. Mayor Bass cited the department’s response to last month’s devastating Palisades wildfires, among the most destructive in California’s history, as a primary reason for the dismissal. Bass stated that the chief’s removal was “in the best interests of Los Angeles’ public safety, and for the operations of the Los Angeles Fire Department.”
Catastrophic Palisades and Eaton Fires: Human and Material Toll
The catastrophic Palisades and Eaton fires, which began on January 7th, have claimed 29 lives and scorched over 37,000 acres. Thousands of lives were drastically disrupted after evacuation orders were issued, leaving many with only ruins of their homes and family memories.
Criticism of Wildfire Response: Was the Reaction Delayed?
In the wake of the devastating fires, Crowley faced criticism alleging that firefighters responded to the scene too late and evacuation orders could have been issued sooner. Concurrently, Crowley had publicly voiced concerns regarding a $17.4 million cut to the department’s 2025 budget, which included reductions in overtime staffing.
Two Key Reasons for Dismissal: Unstaffed Firefighters and Investigation Refusal
Bass cited two specific reasons that “require her removal,” namely, that 1,000 firefighters were off-duty the morning the fires broke out and that Crowley did not cooperate with part of the investigation. “We know that 1,000 firefighters that could have been on duty on the morning the fires broke out were instead sent home on Chief Crowley’s watch,” Bass said in the statement. Furthermore, as part of the investigation into the wildfire response, the president of the City of Los Angeles’ Fire Commission requested an after-action report from Crowley, but “the Chief refused,” Bass stated. Bass mentioned at a Friday afternoon news conference that she was unaware of Crowley’s justification for her refusal.
Appointment of New Interim Chief: Ronnie Villanueva Takes Helm
Bass has appointed former Chief Deputy Ronnie Villanueva, a 41-year department veteran, as interim fire chief. “I pledge to the mayor, our firefighters and to the people of Los Angeles is that the Los Angeles City Fire Department will be prepared,” Villanueva stated at the Friday afternoon news conference with Bass.
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