The removal of Kristin Crowley as Chief of the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) has sparked outrage among city firefighters and union leadership. On Friday, Mayor Karen Bass announced Crowley’s dismissal, citing her refusal to conduct an after-action report following the catastrophic Palisades Fire on January 7.
However, the United Firefighters of Los Angeles City (UFLAC) union strongly opposes the decision, calling it a political move that unfairly targets Crowley as a “scapegoat.”
“We are outraged at the termination of Chief Crowley, period. In our opinion, she is being made a scapegoat for telling the truth,” said Freddy Escobar, UFLAC president and a 35-year veteran of the department.
Why Was Chief Crowley Removed?
Mayor Bass’s primary reasons for Crowley’s removal include:
- Failure to complete an after-action report on the Palisades Fire, which is considered essential for evaluating emergency response failures.
- Budgetary concerns, as Crowley had previously raised alarms over significant funding cuts that could hinder LAFD’s emergency response capabilities.
In December, Crowley had sent a memo to the Board of Fire Commissioners warning that a $17 million budget cut, including $7 million slashed from overtime pay, was severely limiting the department’s ability to train for and respond to major emergencies.
Union Pushback: A Scapegoat for Larger Problems
The firefighters’ union believes that Crowley’s removal is a distraction from deeper issues within the department, particularly chronic underfunding and a lack of resources.
“The department has long been underfunded and under-resourced,” Escobar stated. “We had staff ready to respond on Jan. 7, but we didn’t have enough working engines because there weren’t enough mechanics to fix the broken ones.”
Escobar also refuted the mayor’s claims about the lack of an after-action report. He noted that an ongoing investigation by the Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI)—a state-funded, independent body—was already underway to assess the response to both the Palisades and Eaton fires.
“An after-action report is occurring as we speak. FSRI is actively investigating what went wrong and how to prevent future disasters,” Escobar emphasized.
The Budget Cuts: A Threat to Public Safety?
Crowley’s warnings about budget cuts echoed long-standing concerns from firefighters and city officials:
- A $17 million reduction in LAFD’s budget could drastically limit staffing, training, and response capabilities.
- Cuts to overtime pay have hindered the department’s ability to maintain adequate staffing levels for emergencies.
“You can’t expect firefighters to protect the city effectively without proper funding. The cuts directly impact our ability to respond to major emergencies,” Escobar warned.
Support for Kristin Crowley
Crowley, who had served with LAFD for over two decades, is praised by many within the department for her integrity and leadership. Escobar, who has worked alongside her for more than 20 years, called her a true leader:
“Chief Crowley has always been a person of integrity and a strong advocate for her firefighters. Removing her sends the wrong message.”
What’s Next for LAFD?
The sudden dismissal of Chief Crowley leaves the department in a state of uncertainty, especially as investigations into the January wildfires continue. Mayor Bass has yet to announce her plans for appointing a new fire chief.
Meanwhile, Escobar and the union continue to demand a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding Crowley’s removal, as well as the city’s handling of the wildfire crisis.
“This isn’t just about one person losing their job—it’s about the safety of the people of Los Angeles and the resources we need to protect them,” Escobar concluded.
