Los Angeles Mayor Dismisses Fire Chief for Alleged Inadequate Preparedness During Palisades Fire

February 22, 2025 TruthUSA

Karen Bass stated that the Los Angeles Fire Department was ill-prepared when fires ignited in January 2025.

On February 21, the mayor of Los Angeles announced the removal of the city’s fire chief due to insufficient preparations for combating fires earlier this year.

Karen Bass confirmed that Kristin Crowley was removed from her position effective immediately.

“I have called for a comprehensive investigation into everything that transpired leading up to January 7,” Bass told reporters during a press conference. “A key part of the investigation involved the president of the Fire Commission instructing Chief Crowley to conduct an after-action report on the fires, which she refused. It is well known that a thousand firefighters who could have been on duty on the morning the fires occurred were instead sent home under Chief Crowley’s leadership. These decisions warranted her removal.”

The mayor also remarked: “Our firefighters displayed extraordinary courage during the Palisades fire and exhibit such bravery every single day—that cannot be disputed. Our firefighters and the citizens of Los Angeles deserve new leadership in the fire department.”

Beginning January 7, a series of destructive fires erupted across Los Angeles, collectively referred to as the Palisades fire, which were finally contained by January 31.

The Los Angeles Fire Department was reached on Friday but opted not to comment. They also declined to provide contact details for Crowley, who has yet to respond to her termination.

Crowley, who joined the department in 2007, was appointed as the Los Angeles fire chief in March 2022.

The Los Angeles Fire Department ranks among the largest in the United States, comprising approximately 3,500 personnel, with around 1,000 firefighters on duty at any given time, according to the department’s website.

Bass has appointed Ronnie Villanueva as the interim fire chief.

“While the Department is under the experienced leadership of Chief Villanueva, my office will spearhead a national search, and I will engage directly with firefighters and Angelenos about their expectations for the next permanent chief,” Bass expressed in a statement.

Villanueva, a former chief deputy, retired in 2024 after a 41-year career with the city’s fire department.

At the briefing, Villanueva expressed his gratitude for the mayor’s trust in him.

“My commitment to the mayor, our firefighters, and the community of Los Angeles is that the Los Angeles city Fire Department will be ready,” he stated. “The Los Angeles city Fire Department will respond promptly. And the Los Angeles city Fire Department will ensure your safety.”

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