Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) Chief Kristin Crowley is facing intense criticism and calls for her resignation over her handling of the deadly wildfires that have ravaged the region.
A scathing five-page letter signed by several current and former LAFD battalion chiefs and administrators accuses Crowley of mismanagement and leadership failures that contributed to the devastating loss of life and property in the fires.
The letter criticizes Crowley for her recent comments about budget cuts impacting the department’s ability to respond to emergencies. The group calls these comments “ill-advised and poorly timed,” arguing that they deflected attention from the ongoing firefighting efforts.
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The letter specifically points to Crowley’s “lack of experience, arrogance, and inability to manage and lead the department” as contributing factors to the LAFD’s failings in responding to the Palisades fire, which has claimed at least 27 lives.
The group also accuses Crowley of ignoring pre-existing preventative systems and mechanisms designed to deal with wildfires and failing to adequately respond to evacuation needs in affected residential areas.
“As harsh as this sounds, the horrific truth is that you and your command staff own this terrible loss of life,” the letter states.
John Knox, a 23-year LAFD veteran who was fired in 2021 for refusing a COVID-19 vaccine, echoed the criticism, describing the situation to NewsNation as a “complete and utter lack of leadership.” He pointed to a lack of pre-deployment preparation and the suspension of hydrant testing due to budget cuts as contributing factors to the severity of the disaster.
READ: Former LA County Sheriff Says Bass, Newsom Should Resign For ‘Gross Negligence’ In Deadly Wildfires
The letter also highlights the controversy surrounding the empty Santa Ynez Reservoir, a major water resource near Pacific Palisades, which was undergoing renovations when the fires broke out. Governor Gavin Newsom has called for an investigation into the matter, and a lawsuit has already been filed in connection with the reservoir issue.
The group of LAFD officials further criticizes Crowley for failing to address critical issues within the department, such as staffing shortages, multiple lawsuits alleging retaliation and harassment, and high call volume and workload concerns.
READ: Los Angeles Wildfires: Death Toll Rises, Containment Progresses As Red Flag Warnings Persist
“While no one is saying that this fire could have been stopped, there is no doubt among all of us that if you had done things right and prepared the LAFD for an incident of this magnitude, fatalities would have been reduced, and property would have been saved,” the letter concludes.
This letter represents a significant challenge to Chief Crowley’s leadership and raises serious questions about the LAFD’s preparedness and response to the devastating wildfires.
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