Former LAFD Chief Kristin Crowley Will Appeal Firing By Mayor Bass

Former Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Kristin Crowley announced on Thursday that she would be appealing her dismissal last week by Mayor Karen Bass before a special meeting on Friday.

Bass and Crowley have clashed publicly and privately since the Southern California wildfires ignited in early January. Bass tried to pin the blame of the fires on Crowley to downplay her own fault. However, Crowley responded each time. When Bass said that her $17.5 million in cuts to the LAFD budget were not detrimental, Crowley came forth with proof showing that they did indeed hurt the LAFD’s ability to provide service during the fires. And when Bass previously tried to claim that she was not given any warning of high wind risks or wildfire dangers before leaving on her trip, Crowley and the LAFD came back with proof yet again proving Bass wrong. The last one was particularly embarrassing, as all it took was many X posts showing just how dire the warning was in the days before the fires – when Bass was still in Los Angeles.

However, that hasn’t meant that Crowley has been entirely in the right. Many in the LAFD believed Crowley was in over her head when dealing with the fires and called for her to resign. The LAFD’s wildfire setup was also not seen as optimal when the fires started. Even with these actions, Bass has been seen as the one with much more blame on her shoulders. The Mayor even tried to fire Crowley on at least one occasion after the fires but couldn’t as Crowley was viewed as too instrumental in recovery.

Last week, Bass dismissed Crowley. At a press conference, Bass blamed Crowley for mishandling the Palisades Fire, claiming that she did not send out all available firefighters when the fire began and that she didn’t do an after action report on the fires. Bass further blamed Crowley in her statement for not telling her of the exact dangers of a wildfire before leaving for Africa.

Now demoted, Crowley responded, defending not only herself but the LAFD’s response to the wildfires as well.

“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,” said Crowley last weekend. “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.”

The dismissal of Crowley proved to be polarizing. Many lawmakers and politicians from both sides of the aisle denounced Bass and said that she was scapegoating Crowley for her own failures. Notable detractors included Los Angeles city councilwomen Monica Rodriguez and Traci Park, Bass’ 2022 Mayoral election rival Rick Caruso, and the United Firefighters of Los Angeles City union.

“It is very disappointing that Mayor Bass has decided to fire Chief Kristin Crowley,” added Caruso on X. “Chief Crowley served Los Angeles well and spoke honestly about the severe and profoundly ill-conceived budget cuts the Bass administration made to the LAFD. That courage to speak the truth was brave, and I admire her. Honesty in a high city official should not be a firing offense. The Mayor’s decision to ignore the warnings and leave the city was hers alone. This is a time for city leaders to take responsibility for their actions and their decisions. We need real leadership, not more blame passing.”

Crowley challenges Bass’ Firing

Meanwhile, Bass managed to keep some supporters in her corner, including Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson and City Councilmembers Curren Price, Hugo Soto-Martinez, Bob Blumenfield and Adrin Nazaria.

“The mayor needs to have confidence in the fire chief and has the right to replace her if that confidence no longer exists,” said Blumenfield earlier this week.

Despite several Councilmembers still siding with Bass, Crowley announced that she would be appealing Bass’ decision on Thursday. The appeal itself will take place at a special City Council meeting in Van Nuys on Friday

“Today I notified the City Council of my appeal as provided for in Los Angeles Charter, Article V, Section 5.08(e), due to Mayor Bass’s removal of me, on February 21, 2025, from the position of Fire Chief of the Los Angeles City Fire Department,” announced Crowley. “I look forward to hearing from you about next steps, if any.”

The Mayor’s office responded with a short statement later on Thursday.

“Former Chief Crowley has the right to appeal her dismissal,” said Bass spokesman Zach Seidl.

While polls have shown the public to be on Crowley’s side and against Bass, with Bass barely having the approval of a third of Los Angeles residents and is likely to fight against a recall later this year, Bass does have ample Council support. For Crowley to be reinstated at Friday’s special Council meeting in Van Nuys, she would need the support of 10 of the 15 Councilmembers. Publicly, five have already sided with Bass with only two being on Crowley’s side, meaning that she would need to convince the remaining eight to reinstate her, or change a few minds. And that can be difficult, even with public support firmly on the side of Crowley.

“Crowley isn’t going down without a fight, so you have to commend her for that,” added former lobbyist Harry Schultz to the Globe on Thursday. “But to overturn Bass’ decision, well, she would need to be very persuasive to say the least. It likely won’t work, but what it will do is stick every Councilmember with that vote on their records. Come next election, they’re going to have to defend that. And this is going to hurt Bass too. Crowley was likely going to be a thorn in her side next year, but she is already doing it and keeping her firing in the news cycle. Bass is not catching a break.”