Ousted Los Angeles Hearth Chief Kristin Crowley struck a defensive tone Saturday, issuing her first assertion since being demoted by Mayor Karen Bass for failing to tell her concerning the harmful circumstances or to activate lots of of firefighters forward of the lethal Palisades blaze.
“Because the Hearth Chief, I primarily based my actions and selections on caring for our firefighters in order that they may handle our communities,” Crowley mentioned within the assertion, which didn’t tackle the Palisades hearth immediately.
“Serving others earlier than self, having the braveness and integrity to do what is correct, and main with compassion, love and respect have guided me all through my profession. I’m extraordinarily happy with the work, sacrifice and dedication of our LAFD members, each sworn and civilian.”
A Instances investigation discovered that Hearth Division officers may have ordered about 1,000 firefighters to stay on obligation as winds had been constructing however opted in opposition to it. The transfer would have doubled the firefighting pressure available when hearth broke out within the Palisades on the morning of Jan. 7.
The division additionally had greater than 40 engines out there to battle wildfires, however hearth officers staffed solely 5 of them, The Instances discovered.
One other Instances investigation decided that the LAFD may have deployed at the very least 10 extra engines within the Palisades upfront of the hearth. Had these engines been patrolling the hillsides and canyons, they may have been capable of extinguish the hearth when it was nonetheless small.
Crowley’s firing Friday intensified tensions at Metropolis Corridor. Councilmember Monica Rodriguez, whose district in northeast San Fernando Valley has seen fires torch hillside communities, mentioned she is going to search to overturn Crowley’s dismissal. The removing, Rodriguez contended, was Bass’ means of deflecting criticism.
The Palisades hearth killed at the very least 12 individuals, destroyed almost 7,000 houses and different constructions, and generated heavy criticism of Bass, who had been in Ghana for a ceremony when the hearth erupted. The catastrophe poses severe financial challenges for the area and raises questions on whether or not town might be able to host the 2028 Olympic Video games.
Bass couldn’t instantly reached for remark about Crowley’s assertion.
However in latest days she had lashed out at Crowley, saying she had not heard from the chief till after the hearth erupted and questioning her deployment technique.
“As a humble public servant for over the previous 30 years, 25 of these with the LAFD, it has been an absolute honor to symbolize and lead the women and men of one of many biggest hearth departments on this planet,” Crowley mentioned.
A consultant for Crowley mentioned she wouldn’t be making any additional feedback.
LAFD veteran Ronnie Villanueva will function interim chief. He retired seven months in the past as chief deputy of emergency operations after 4 many years on the division.
