Was Kristin Crowley, LA’s First Lesbian Fire Chief, Fired For “Telling The Truth”?
Kristin Crowley’s dismissal as Fire Chief has led to strong opposition from firefighters and city leaders.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has removed Fire Chief Kristin Crowley, the first woman and openly LGBTQ+ individual to lead the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD). The decision, announced on Friday, has drawn backlash from city officials and fire department leaders who believe Crowley is being unfairly blamed for the city’s recent wildfires.
Mayor Bass cited specific concerns regarding Chief Crowley’s actions during the fires, particularly the decision to release 1,000 firefighters on the day the blazes erupted and her refusal to conduct an after-action report deemed essential for investigating the incidents. In her official statement, Mayor Bass emphasized the necessity of new leadership to ensure public safety and effective fire department operations:
“Acting in the best interests of Los Angeles’ public safety, and for the operations of the Los Angeles Fire Department, I have removed Kristin Crowley as Fire Chief. 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. Furthermore, a necessary step to an investigation was the President of the Fire Commission telling Chief Crowley to do an after-action report on the fires. The Chief refused. These require her removal. The heroism of our firefighters – during the Palisades fire and every single day – is without question. Bringing new leadership to the Fire Department is what our city needs.”
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In response, Chief Crowley expressed pride in her service and the dedication of the LAFD members. She highlighted her commitment to supporting firefighters and the communities they serve:
“As a humble public servant for over the past 30 years, 25 of those with the LAFD, it has been an absolute honor to represent and lead the men and women of one of the greatest fire departments in the world. As the Fire Chief, I based my actions and decisions on taking care of our firefighters so that they could take care of our communities. Serving others before self, having the courage and integrity to do what is right, and leading with compassion, love and respect have guided me throughout my career. I am extremely proud of the work, sacrifice and dedication of our LAFD members, both sworn and civilian.”
The dismissal has drawn sharp criticism from various city officials and community leaders. United Firefighters of Los Angeles City (UFLAC) President Fred Escobar condemned the move, stating that Crowley is “being made a scapegoat and she is being terminated for telling the truth.” Escobar emphasized that the department’s challenges during the fires were largely due to insufficient resources and funding reductions, which hindered operational readiness.
City Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez also voiced her disapproval, describing Crowley as “the most qualified member of the LA City Fire Department” and urging her to appeal the decision. Businessman Rick Caruso, who previously ran against Mayor Bass in the 2022 mayoral election, labeled the firing as “victim blaming,” pointing to the administration’s budget cuts as a significant factor in the department’s strained response capabilities.
Other City Councilmembers, meanwhile, have backed up Bass’ decision, including Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson, Councilmember Hugo Soto Martínez, and Councilmember Adrin Nazarian.
Mayor Bass’ own actions during the crisis have also faced public scrutiny. At the time the fires broke out, Bass was attending an inauguration in Ghana. This absence has led to bipartisan criticism, with detractors arguing that it reflects a broader underestimation of wildfire risks by city leadership.
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Crowley’s departure follows her response in a recent interview with L.A. TV station KTTV, when asked if the city had failed the LAFD. She replied, “Yes.”
During the interview, Crowley criticized the fire department’s underfunding, suggesting that better financial support would have prepared the LAFD for the Palisades Fire. “If we had set ourselves up properly over the past three years, we would have been in a better position for what happened here, in a city where we lost homes and lives,” she stated.
Mayor Bass has faced scrutiny over $17.8 million in budget cuts to the LAFD but has denied that these reductions affected the department’s ability to respond to the wildfires.
In the wake of Chief Crowley’s removal, Mayor Bass has appointed Ronnie Villanueva, a 41-year veteran of the LAFD, as interim fire chief. Villanueva is tasked with steering the department through this turbulent period and addressing the multifaceted challenges it faces.
Mayor Bass’ office confirmed that Crowley chose to exercise her civil service right to remain with the agency in a lower-ranking role. It will be up to Villanueva to assign her new duties.
