Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley publicly criticized the city's budget cuts, claiming they hinder firefighters' ability to respond to emergencies, particularly during the ongoing wildfire crisis. Crowley's comments follow complaints of hazing, harassment, and discrimination within the department.
Kristin Crowley , the fire chief of Los Angeles, publicly criticized the city's budget cuts on Friday, stating that they have made it more difficult for firefighters to perform their duties. This criticism comes amidst a turbulent period for the department, which has been grappling with numerous complaints of hazing, harassment, and discrimination among its 3,400 members.
Crowley, previously hailed by the then-mayor as a stabilizing force, pointed to the recent devastating wildfires, the most destructive in the city's history, as an example of the challenges facing firefighters. She attributed the lack of water at hydrants during the Palisades fire, which affected 20% of the tapped hydrants, to the city's inadequate preparation. Crowley emphasized her commitment to ensuring firefighters have the necessary resources to carry out their duties, stating that her role as fire chief compels her to provide them with everything they need. She acknowledged the role of climate change in exacerbating wildfire intensity and spread. Crowley's comments and perceived falling-out with Mayor Karen Bass sparked speculation about her job security, prompting the firefighters' union to issue a statement affirming her continued employment. Bass, while acknowledging the differences between her and Crowley, stressed their shared focus on fighting the fires and saving lives.The situation has drawn national attention, with Crowley being swept into the political debate surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion policies. As an openly gay woman and the city's first female fire chief, Crowley has prioritized diversifying the predominantly male department. Her appointment by former Mayor Eric Garcetti followed complaints of a frat house culture within the department, with allegations of hazing, harassment, and discrimination. At the time of her appointment, women constituted only 3.5% of the uniformed firefighters, a figure common in many fire departments. A survey revealed that half of the uniformed women, along with 40% of Black, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander firefighters, reported experiencing harassment. Crowley, whose wife is a retired firefighter, expressed her commitment to ensuring a safe and inclusive work environment for all employees. However, two years later, she found herself facing budget cuts that she warned could hinder the department's ability to respond to emergencies, including wildfires. She highlighted the elimination of civilian positions and a $7 million reduction in overtime pay, arguing that these cuts would limit the department's capacity to prepare for and respond to large-scale emergencies. Crowley also cited the loss of mechanics, leading to delays in vehicle repairs. While other city officials maintain that the department's budget was subsequently increased, the extent to which these funds were allocated to firefighting resources remains unclear
WILDFIRE BUDGET CUTS FIRE DEPARTMENT CROWLEY BASS
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