Fire Chief Kristin Crowley, the first female and LGBTQ head of the Los Angeles Fire Department, has encountered significant backlash for her emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts before the fires. In 2021, the department launched a “racial equity plan” and established a new bureau in 2023 to promote diversity.
Her credentials encompass multiple positions within the department, and she notably became Los Angeles’ first woman fire marshal in 2016. During this crisis, the Santa Ana winds have approached nearly 100 mph, driving the flames onward due to the persistent dry conditions from this winter’s insufficient rainfall.
One X post (formerly Twitter) states that she had informed the fire department about the wildfires and had adjusted funds in the concerns for the issue. The post by X user Ryan Saavedra, with X id- @RealSaavedra wrote a caption attaching a signed document by the now LAFD Chief.
The post reads: “L.A. Fire Chief Kristin Crowley warned Mayor Karen Bass (D) last month the $17+ million she cut from the department’s budget “severely limited the department’s capacity to prepare for, train for, and respond to large-scale emergencies, including wildfires”
The LAFD is facing backlash over keeping the racial and gender diversity over wildfire concerns. The social media platforms are calling the “racial equity plan” under which the diversity was implemented as unnecessary and least of concerns. Amongst the people against the decisions are Elon Musk and Donald Trump Jr, US President Donald Trump’s son.
As of Wednesday morning, more than 5,000 acres in the affluent area of Pacific Palisades, California, have been ravaged by flames, resulting in the destruction of approximately 1,000 buildings and seaside residences.
The fire is noted as one of the most severe to hit the area, affecting the Pacific Coast Highway and occurring alongside three additional fires in Los Angeles County that have led to two deaths. Reports suggest that fire hydrants in the area have emptied, worsening the situation. Crowley has faced criticism on social media, with detractors questioning her credentials, despite having over 22 years of experience and being highly regarded among candidates for her role.
