Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley has received strong support from the United Firefighters of Los Angeles City Local 112, the union representing over 3,000 city firefighters, following reports that she was summoned by Mayor Karen Bass, potentially to be dismissed.
Tensions between Chief Crowley and Mayor Bass have escalated amid Los Angeles’ battle against historic wildfires that have resulted in 25 fatalities, with others still missing. The strain intensified after Chief Crowley publicly criticized city leadership, stating that they had “failed” the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) in their preparedness and response efforts.
An anonymous letter from individuals identifying as “retired and active LAFD chief officers” condemned Chief Crowley’s public remarks, describing them as an “outburst” and suggesting they detracted from the critical task of managing the Palisades fire. In response, the firefighters’ union denounced the anonymous letter, expressing unwavering support for Chief Crowley and
Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley has received strong support from the United Firefighters of Los Angeles City Local 112, the union representing over 3,000 city firefighters, following reports that she was summoned by Mayor Karen Bass, potentially to be dismissed.
Tensions between Chief Crowley and Mayor Bass have escalated amid Los Angeles’ battle against historic wildfires that have resulted in 25 fatalities, with others still missing. The strain intensified after Chief Crowley publicly criticized city leadership, stating that they had “failed” the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) in their preparedness and response efforts.
An anonymous letter from individuals identifying as “retired and active LAFD chief officers” condemned Chief Crowley’s public remarks, describing them as an “outburst” and suggesting they detracted from the critical task of managing the Palisades fire. In response, the firefighters’ union denounced the anonymous letter, expressing unwavering support for Chief Crowley and commending her for advocating for necessary resources. The union stated, “While we haven’t agreed on everything, you’ve been the only fire chief in decades to repeatedly demand adequate resources.”
The backdrop to this controversy includes significant budgetary decisions by Mayor Bass. In December 2024, Chief Crowley warned that the nearly $18 million cut from the LAFD budget “severely limited the department’s capacity to prepare for, train for, and respond to large-scale emergencies, including wildfires.” She highlighted that the reduction impaired the department’s ability to effectively mitigate wildland fires and other hazards.
Further complicating the situation, Mayor Bass was on an international trip to Ghana during the onset of the wildfires, leading to public criticism regarding her absence during a critical period. Residents questioned her leadership, with one Pacific Palisades resident stating, “For someone to be in charge of my town – where were you?”
Amid these challenges, the LAFD’s focus on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives has also come under scrutiny. Critics argue that an emphasis on DEI may compromise operational effectiveness. Assistant Chief Kristine Larson’s remarks in a video, where she responded to concerns about physical capabilities by saying, “He got himself in the wrong place if I have to carry him out of a fire,” have fueled debates about the department’s priorities.
As Los Angeles continues to grapple with the devastating impact of the wildfires, the dynamics between the city’s leadership and the fire department remain under intense public scrutiny. The support from the firefighters’ union underscores the internal challenges faced by the LAFD as it strives to protect the city amidst resource constraints and leadership disputes.