Ex-LA fire chief Kristin Crowley's appeal over Bass firing denied by city council

LOS ANGELES - LA City Council on Tuesday voted to deny former Fire Chief Kristin Crowley's appeal, supporting Mayor Karen Bass' decision to terminate her as head of the Los Angeles Fire Department following January's wildfires.

Crowley appeared at a hearing on Tuesday, March 4 as part of the appeal process.

Before entering city hall, Crowley stopped to address the crowd with a positive message.

"There's been a tremendous amount of love and outpouring from the community, and I'm just so grateful to have you back here, and the communities that supported us," Crowley said. "We're in this together. Thank you."

What was said during meeting

Addressing the Los Angeles City Council as she appealed her firing, Crowley said Bass made "multiple false accusations" against her in announcing her termination. She denies that she refused to conduct an after-action report on the Palisades Fire and did not "send home" 1,000 firefighters on the day of the fire, saying "we did not have enough apparatus to put them on."

Crowley blamed the shortfall on a lack of funding for maintenance that left more than 100 trucks and other vehicles inoperable in a maintenance yard. She also denied that the mayor was not informed about the severe winds that were forecast on Jan. 7, noting that the mayor's office itself issued "multiple messages" to the public warning about the wind conditions.

Here's what Crowley said in part during her appeals hearing:

"I did not refuse to conduct an after-action report and let me be clear this is a false accusation. During our discussions about an after-action report, I advised fire commissioners about my opinion that was best in regard to how to use LAFD resources. I said the LAFD is not capable nor do we have the proper resources to conduct an after-action report for the Palisades Fire due to the sheer magnitude, scope and complexity of the incident."

"We are already understaffed, underresourced, and  underfunded and based on my knowledge of the LAFD's resources and capabilities, I recommended to collaborate with Gov. Newsom's already selected and funded agency Fire Safety Research Institute because they are already conducting an independent analysis of the windstorm and fire events in LA and Ventura counties."

"In contrast to the LAFD, FSRI has the capability to conduct a proper, thoroughly researched and analyzed after-action report and wildfire analysis."

FSRI was the agency in charge of the investigation into the 2023 Hawaii wildfires.

"Prior to me leaving the meeting, fire commissioners agreed with my recommendation that the FSRI is best-equipped to conduct the after-action report."

Appeal denied 

What we know:

In order to be reinstated as chief, Crowley would have needed the support of 10 of 15 members of the Los Angeles City Council. The vote was 13-2.

Monica Rodriguez and Traci Park were the only ones who supported her reinstatement. 

During the initial announcement of Crowley's dismissal, four council members stood alongside Bass in support - Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson and members Curren Price, Hugo Soto- Martinez and Adrin Nazarian. Councilman Bob Blumenfield has also publicly come out in favor of Bass' decision.

Councilmembers speak out 

Park, who represents Pacific Palisades, said there are many questions that remain regarding the city's fire response, and reminded everyone that not a single investigation has been completed.

"As a council, we also unanimously approved an outside, independent after-action review," Park said. "The fire department and the city should not be investigating itself following the biggest disaster in our city's history, nor should it be investigated by a commission of political appointees."

Rodriguez acknowledged the fire department's critical needs and recognized that it will be a long journey to address them as the city faces a fiscal crisis.

"I believe that it is inherent upon us as leaders to make difficult decisions, whatever the political ramifications are," Rodriguez said. "I don't give a damn. I believe it's important to let the truth prevail, and you shouldn't disparage or suggest that someone refuse to do their job."

However, after Rodriguez and Park spoke, Council Members Imelda Padilla and Tim McOsker spoke in support of Bass' decision, and it was clear Crowley lacked further support, prompting a quick vote on the matter.

Padilla criticized Crowley for participating in interviews after the fire broke out in which she cited the department's alleged budget shortfalls, adding "the chief choose the wrong time and the wrong place to raise an issue."

Bass has come under criticism for her handling of the wildfire, in particular because the mayor went on a diplomatic trip to Ghana days before the fires erupted despite the warnings about anticipated severe wind and fire-danger conditions.

SUGGESTED COVERAGE: LA firefighters demand Kristin Crowley be reinstated as chief

Mayor responds to appeal 

After the appeal, Bass' office clarified the issue of Crowley allegedly refusing to not complete the after-action report. 

In a statement, spokesman Zach Seidl said "Mayor Bass said that former Chief Crowley refused to conduct an after-action report and Ms. Crowley's testimony does not refute that. She just said she preferred to have the state do it." 

The statement continued to read, "After testimony by the former chief confirming she sent firefighters home on the morning of Jan. 7, her appeal was rejected 13-2 by members of the City Council. This is an issue of public safety and for the operations of the Los Angeles Fire Department -- the city of Los Angeles is moving forward," Zach Seidl, spokesman for Bass, said in a statement Tuesday. 

Crowley issues statement

Crowley issued a formal statement after the appeal hearing. 

"Although I am disappointed in the outcome of today’s appeal vote, my heart is full of gratitude for the outpouring of love and support that I received. I especially want to thank UFLAC President Freddy Escobar, the many other UFLAC leaders, and the members who supported my efforts to shine the light on LAFD’s needs. Standing up, speaking out, and advocating for our LAFD firefighters, their families, and the communities that we serve will always be the right thing to do."

"It has been an absolute honor of a lifetime to serve and represent the incredible men and women of the LAFD for nearly three years. The LAFD deserves to be properly funded, staffed, and resourced so we can meet the ever-changing needs of our communities. We owe that to the LAFD and to those we serve."

The backstory:

Crowley was pulled from leading the Los Angeles City Fire Department by Mayor Karen Bass on February 21 over the former's handling of the Eaton and Palisades fires. 

When Bass announced she was stripping the LAFD fire chief tag from Crowley, the LA Mayor accused Crowley of sending home 1,000 firefighters the day the Jan. 7 fires broke out. Bass also accused Crowley of refusing to do an after-action report, a procedure the LA Mayor called "a necessary step to the investigation" of the wildfires.

It's a claim that Crowley continues to deny.

Crowley denied she "sent home" 1,000 firefighters on the day of the fire, saying "we did not have enough apparatus to put them on." She blamed the shortfall on a lack of funding for maintenance that left more than 100 trucks and other vehicles inoperable in a maintenance yard. 

She also denied that the mayor was not informed about severe winds that were forecast on Jan. 7, noting that the mayor's office itself issued "multiple messages" to the public warning about the wind conditions.

The other side:

Leaders of United Firefighters of Los Angeles City, IAFF Local-112, meanwhile, feel Crowley's being used as a scapegoat.

"Crowley was a scapegoat to all of this. Somebody had to be at fault and it was going to be her. I guess, you know, the decisions by the higher ups today were hoping that Chief Crowley also gets to tell her side of the story," Chuong Ho, director of UFLAC Local 112, said. "The truth will come out, and I'm hoping that the city council will look at the facts, not make this political. Just look at the facts and make a decision accordingly."

What they're saying:

Below was the original statement released by Bass last month when she decided to take Crowley out of her seat as fire chief:

"Acting in the best interests of Los Angeles’ public safety, and for the operations of the Los Angeles Fire Department, I have removed Kristin Crowley as Fire Chief. We know that 1,000 firefighters that could have been on duty on the morning the fires broke out were instead sent home on Chief Crowley’s watch. Furthermore, a necessary step to an investigation was the President of the Fire Commission telling Chief Crowley to do an after-action report on the fires. The Chief refused. These require her removal. The heroism of our firefighters – during the Palisades fire and every single day – is without question. Bringing new leadership to the Fire Department is what our city needs."

Below was the statement Crowley issued the same week she was removed from fire chief duties:

"As a humble public servant for over the past 30 years, 25 of those with the LAFD, it has been an absolute honor to represent and lead the men and women of one of the greatest fire departments in the world. As the Fire Chief, I based my actions and decisions on taking care of our firefighters so that they could take care of our communities. Serving others before self, having the courage and integrity to do what is right, and leading with compassion, love and respect have guided me throughout my career. I am extremely proud of the work, sacrifice and dedication of our LAFD members, both sworn and civilian."

What's next:

Crowley will remain with the LAFD at a lower rank in a different position, which was to be determined by interim LAFD Chief Ronnie Villanueva, who was tapped by Bass to take over from Crowley.

LAFDLos AngelesWildfiresCalifornia PoliticsCaliforniaKaren BassInstastories