Fire Chief Out: Mayor Bass Shakes Up LAFD Leadership

Los Angeles is buzzing with news that Mayor Karen Bass has fired Fire Chief Kristin Crowley. This move comes after a series of public criticisms from Bass about Crowley's handling of the recent Palisades fire. The mayor claims that Crowley did not inform her about the fire risk before she left for Ghana, and that the chief's decisions led to a shortage of firefighters when the fire broke out. Crowley's dismissal has sparked a lot of debate. The firefighters union is not happy about it. They believe Crowley is being unfairly blamed for the city's lack of resources. Freddy Escobar, the union president, says that Crowley is being made a scapegoat for telling the truth. He also points out that the department doesn't have enough trucks and engines for the firefighters who were sent home before the fire started. The mayor's decision has also caused some tension among city council members. Monica Rodriguez, who represents a district that has seen major fires, is not happy with Bass's decision. She plans to challenge it and wants a full investigation into the city's handling of the fire. Rodriguez believes that Bass is trying to shift blame for being out of the country when the fire happened. The situation in City Hall is getting more complicated. Bass has been facing criticism for her management of the crisis and her relationship with other officials. She recently reversed plans to reopen Pacific Palisades and to pay a recovery czar $500, 000. The tensions between Bass and Crowley go way back. Crowley had criticized the city for being understaffed and underfunded in a TV interview. This led to a long meeting between the two, and Crowley was later summoned to the mayor's office. The mayor's office has said that Crowley will continue to work in the Fire Department, but they haven't said what her role will be. Crowley was the first female chief in the department's history. She was appointed by Mayor Eric Garcetti in 2022, a time when female firefighters were speaking out about harassment and hazing. The City Charter gives the mayor the power to remove department heads without the City Council's approval. However, Crowley has the right to appeal the decision to the council within 10 days. She would need the support of 10 of the 15 council members to override the firing. Bass has expressed confidence that the council will support her decision. She acknowledges that there are differences of opinion, but insists that the city is not in chaos. She says that the city is standing together and strong after the worst natural disaster in its history. The situation is still unfolding, and it's unclear how the council will respond to Bass's decision.