Karen Bass Removes LAFP Fire Chief in ‘Scapegoat’ Action Following Significant LA Fires – One America News Network
OAN Staff Blake Wolf
5:46 PM – Friday, February 21, 2025
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has announced the termination of LAFD Fire Chief Kristin Crowley, stating it was done “in the best interests of public safety in Los Angeles.”
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“In the interest of public safety and the effective operation of the Los Angeles Fire Department, I have dismissed Kristin Crowley as Fire Chief. It was noted that 1,000 firefighters were sent home on Chief Crowley’s watch on the day the fires erupted,” Bass remarked.
“Moreover, the Fire Commission President instructed Chief Crowley to prepare an after-action report on the fires, which she declined to do. This necessitated her removal. The bravery of our firefighters – especially during the Palisades fire and every other day – is indisputable. New leadership is essential for our city’s needs.”
This decision comes after Crowley had publicly criticized Bass for insufficient funding to the fire department, which contributed to the “lackluster response” to several wildfires in Los Angeles during January.
“Any budget cuts will directly influence our ability to provide proper service,” Crowley commented previously, essentially holding Bass accountable. “A budget cut means reallocating resources. What does that entail? Some things won’t get done or may face delays.”
“From the start, we have recognized significant gaps in our service delivery and our firefighters’ ability to effectively do their jobs,” she added. “As we approach the 2025-2026 budget, I can confirm that we’re still understaffed, under-resourced, and underfunded.”
Mayor Bass has appointed former Chief Deputy Ronnie Villanueva as the interim fire chief, who brings 41 years of experience with the Los Angeles Fire Department.
The conflict between the city officials escalated when Bass was overseas in Ghana, and later accused Crowley of failing to inform her about the urgent need to stay put due to the brewing fierce winds responsible for the Palisades and Eaton fires, as well as arson incidents.
Despite Bass’s claims of being uninformed, the LAFD contended they had “sent out two media advisories, conducted numerous live and recorded interviews regarding the expected extreme fire weather, and alerted City Officials.”
Bass herself acknowledged in an interview with an NBC affiliate that traveling to Ghana was a mistake, stating: “Absolutely, there’s no question about that.”
In response to the firing, City Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez expressed her “outrage.”
“I am outraged by what appears to be scapegoating by the Mayor,” Rodriguez said. “I intend to utilize my position as a Councilmember to ensure that Chief Crowley is allowed to appeal the Mayor’s abrupt termination to the City Council. The public has the right to a complete account of every leadership failure that has occurred.”
Republican businessman Rick Caruso, who previously ran against Bass, also voiced his disappointment regarding Crowley’s dismissal.
“I find it quite disappointing that Mayor Bass has chosen to fire Chief Kristin Crowley,” he expressed in a post on X. “Chief Crowley has served Los Angeles commendably and was candid about the severe and poorly thought-out budget cuts enacted by the Bass administration on the LAFD. Her courage to speak the truth merits admiration. Leadership in our city requires accountability rather than scapegoating.”
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