Former Fire Chief Kristin Crowley Loses Bid to Get Her Job Back
City Council Rejects Her Reinstatement
The Los Angeles City Council rejected former Fire Chief Kristin Crowley’s bid to get her job back, despite fierce support from the firefighters’ union. The council voted 13 to 2 on Tuesday against Crowley’s reinstatement, handing embattled Mayor Karen Bass a much-needed political victory. Bass was in Ghana when the Pacific Palisades fire broke out, leaving Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson as acting mayor and delivering a choppy performance in the days after she returned.
Crowley’s Public Plea
Crowley used Tuesday’s hearing to push back publicly, for the first time, against the arguments that Bass offered for terminating her from her post as the head of one of the nation’s largest fire departments. Seated before the council, Crowley argued that she was facing retaliation for publicly highlighting a lack of resources at her department. “The truth is that the fire chief should not be prevented from, or punished for, speaking openly and honestly about the needs and capabilities of the LAFD, or for doing her best to protect our firefighters and our communities,” she told the council.
Councilmember Imelda Padilla’s Criticism
Councilmember Imelda Padilla, who represents the central San Fernando Valley, criticized Crowley for her decision last month to discuss the fire department’s budget with the news media while the Palisades fire was still raging. “The chief chose the wrong time and wrong place to raise an issue,” she said.
Firefighters’ Union Support
Crowley’s bid for reinstatement was almost certain to fail, given the fact that she needed 10 votes, or a two-thirds majority. Only Councilmembers Monica Rodriguez and Traci Park, who have been strong Crowley supporters, voted in her favor. Nevertheless, Tuesday’s proceedings created a headache for Bass, who ousted Crowley as chief nearly two weeks ago. During public comment before the council vote, firefighters repeatedly aired complaints that their department has been underfunded for too long, with some saying that Bass was trying to deflect blame from her own actions.
Conclusion
The council’s rejection of Crowley’s bid marks the end of a tumultuous chapter in the city’s fire department. The controversy has highlighted deep-seated issues within the department, including underfunding and lack of resources. While Crowley’s supporters will continue to advocate for her reinstatement, the outcome of this saga remains uncertain. The city must now move forward, addressing the systemic issues that have plagued the fire department for so long.
FAQs
Why was Kristin Crowley fired as Fire Chief?
She was fired by Mayor Karen Bass on February 21, citing two major reasons: her failure to pre-deploy as many as 1,000 firefighters on the morning the blaze exploded in size amid hurricane-force Santa Ana winds, and her refusal to participate in an internal after-action report.
Why did Crowley’s supporters advocate for her reinstatement?
They argued that Crowley was fired for speaking out about the lack of resources at the fire department, and that her termination was a form of retaliation. They also pointed to her record of promoting diversity and inclusion within the department.
What were the key issues at stake in this controversy?
The controversy highlighted deep-seated issues within the fire department, including underfunding, lack of resources, and a lack of transparency. It also raised questions about the role of the mayor in the department’s operations and the accountability of city officials.
