Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has dismissed the city’s fire chief, attributing the decision to her handling of the response to last month’s destructive wildfires. Bass criticized Kristin Crowley for failing to alert her to an impending fire hazard. “Under Chief Crowley’s watch, 1,000 firefighters who could have been on duty when the fires erupted were instead sent home,” the mayor stated.
Ronnie Villanueva, a seasoned member of the LAFD, has been appointed as interim fire chief by Bass. The wildfires resulted in 26 fatalities, the destruction of numerous homes, and the displacement of over 150,000 residents.
Bass has the authority, as per the city charter, to remove department heads, including the chief, without the consent of the city council. Crowley has a 10-day window to challenge the decision, requiring a two-thirds vote from the council (10 members) to reverse Bass’s action. While garnering these votes seems improbable, an unsuccessful appeal could pose a political challenge for Bass.
The mayor faced criticism for her management of the wildfires, which started while she was abroad in Ghana. Crowley and Bass publicly clashed over the response, with Crowley attributing operational difficulties to budget cuts, despite a nominal increase in the department’s budget.
During a press conference, Bass reiterated her belief that Los Angeles was inadequately prepared for the fires, asserting that residents’ lives were endangered. She expressed her intent to dismiss Chief Crowley weeks before the announcement, opting to wait until the city was no longer in a state of emergency.
Bass emphasized the bravery of the firefighters in battling the Palisades fire, stating that new leadership for the fire department was necessary for the citizens of Los Angeles. Rick Caruso, a prominent figure in local business and real estate, criticized Bass for firing Crowley, claiming she was terminated for her candid remarks about the administration’s budget cuts.
Kristin Crowley made history as the first female fire chief of the department in 2022. Her tenure focused on firefighter recruitment, diversity initiatives, and modernizing outdated policies. Despite these efforts, her leadership faced scrutiny, particularly regarding staffing shortages during recent crises. Various LAFD chief officers accused her of mishandling the wildfire response, citing inadequate evacuation plans and limited firefighting resources as concerns. Crowley’s emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives also drew criticism for potentially diverting attention from core firefighting operations.
Local authorities acknowledged they were informed about the mayor’s statement but declined to provide any additional comments or interviews regarding the issue at this moment. City Councilor Bass has urged for a thorough investigation into the handling of the recent wildfires, while Governor Gavin Newsom has echoed the call for a similar inquiry at the state level.
The department confirmed its awareness of the mayor’s announcement but refrained from elaborating further or engaging in interviews on the subject presently. Councilor Bass has pressed for a comprehensive probe into the response to the wildfires, aligning with Governor Gavin Newsom’s push for a parallel investigation at the state level.
In response to inquiries, the department acknowledged being informed of the mayor’s declaration but opted not to give any further statements or participate in discussions on the matter at this time. Councilor Bass has demanded a detailed investigation into the management of the wildfires, echoing Governor Gavin Newsom’s call for a corresponding review at the state level.
