Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has accused former Fire Chief Kristin Crowley of failing to adequately warn about the wildfire risks that recently devastated the city, resulting in 26 deaths and the destruction of thousands of homes. Bass appointed Ronnie Villanueva as the interim fire chief after criticizing Crowley’s lack of preparation and her response to the emergencies.
Despite Crowley’s historic appointment as the city’s first female fire chief in 2022, she faced backlash over staffing shortages and accusations that she was more focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives than on essential firefighting operations.
Bass stated that she had considered firing Crowley weeks earlier but chose to wait until the emergency was over. Critics of Bass, including Rick Caruso, accused her of neglecting her responsibilities, particularly for leaving town during the fire while the National Weather Service warned of increased fire risks.
Although the city charter allows the mayor to dismiss department heads without city council approval, Crowley has 10 days to appeal the decision. Any successful appeal would require a two-thirds council vote, posing a potential political challenge for Bass. Additionally, both Bass and Crowley have faced scrutiny over their handling of the crisis, with calls for investigations into the city and state responses to the wildfires.
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