Mayor Karen Bass has fired Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) Chief Kristin Crowley, citing failures in staffing critical fire responses. The decision, announced Friday afternoon, has ignited a political firestorm, with city officials, firefighters, and the public weighing in on the controversial dismissal.
According to Mayor Bass, Chief Crowley’s handling of the Palisades and Eaton fires was inadequate, leading to mismanagement in firefighter staffing. “Acting in the best interests of Los Angeles’ public safety, I have removed Kristin Crowley as Fire Chief,” said Bass in a statement. “We know that 1,000 firefighters that could have been on duty the morning the fires broke out were instead sent home under Chief Crowley’s watch.”
Additionally, Bass accused Crowley of refusing to conduct an after-action report on the fires, a move that reportedly played a significant role in her dismissal. “The lack of accountability in such a critical moment required immediate action,” Bass added.
Following Crowley’s removal, Bass appointed former Chief Deputy Ronnie Villanueva, a 41-year LAFD veteran, as interim fire chief. “Chief Villanueva brings decades of experience, and while the department is in his capable hands, my office will lead a national search for the next permanent Chief,” Bass stated.
Under civil service regulations, Crowley will remain with the department at a lower rank, with her duties to be assigned by Villanueva.
The dismissal of Crowley has sparked a backlash from city officials and firefighter unions. Crowley, who had been vocal about LAFD’s budget cuts and understaffing issues, had previously warned that reductions in funding would severely impact fire response capabilities.
The United Firefighters of Los Angeles City Local 112 (UFLAC) publicly opposed Crowley’s termination, stating, “Chief Crowley is a strong leader who has the respect of our firefighters and wasn’t afraid to tell the truth. She is being made a scapegoat without a full investigation into what happened.”
UFLAC President Freddy Escobar condemned the decision, calling it “outrageous” and arguing that Crowley’s warnings about the department’s budget shortfalls had been ignored by city officials.
Los Angeles City Councilmember Monica Rodriguez, who represents the 7th district, also criticized the move, calling it “incredibly outrageous and disappointing.”
“The claim that Chief Crowley refused to participate in an after-action report is misleading,” Rodriguez said in an interview. “After-action reports take time, and it is standard protocol that they are not conducted immediately. To suggest otherwise is simply inaccurate.”
Rodriguez also stated that she would push for Crowley to appeal the termination before the City Council, vowing to “set the record straight.”
Adding to the controversy, Mayor Bass has faced scrutiny for being absent when the fires broke out. At the time, she was attending the inauguration of Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama as part of a U.S. delegation. Critics argue that the trip should have been postponed given the city’s fire risks.
Bass, in response, admitted to making a “mistake” by leaving but defended her decision by shifting responsibility onto Crowley. “Every time there was a weather emergency or even a hint of one, the Chief has called me. That didn’t happen this time,” Bass stated.
LAFD, however, has insisted that it followed all standard procedures, issuing public and media advisories before the fires began.
Former mayoral candidate Rick Caruso was quick to criticize Bass’ decision, calling it “disappointing.”
“Chief Crowley served Los Angeles well and spoke honestly about the severe and profoundly ill-conceived budget cuts made to the LAFD under the Bass administration,” Caruso posted on social media. “Honesty in a high city official should not be a firing offense. We need real leadership, not more blame-passing.”
Caruso suggested that the firing was an attempt to shift blame from Bass’ absence when the fires started. “The Mayor’s decision to ignore the warnings and leave the city was hers alone,” he added.
With Crowley’s departure, the leadership of the LAFD remains uncertain. While interim Chief Villanueva is expected to stabilize the department, the process of selecting a new permanent fire chief could be contentious. Bass has promised an open hiring process involving input from both firefighters and the public, but skepticism remains high among Crowley’s supporters.
As the city deals with the aftermath of the Palisades and Eaton fires, the debate over leadership, accountability, and funding for public safety services continues to unfold. The controversy surrounding Crowley’s firing underscores deeper issues within Los Angeles’ emergency response systems and raises questions about political accountability in times of crisis.
