Dismissed Los Angeles Fire Chief Loses Appeal but Delivers PR Strike Against Karen Bass
Union firefighters, a significant influence in city politics, expressed strong opposition to the dismissal of former Chief Kristin Crowley.
TroibNews 
LOS ANGELES — Mayor Karen Bass celebrated a win on Tuesday as the City Council broadly upheld her decision to dismiss the city’s fire chief following severe wildfires. However, this success came at the cost of a contentious confrontation with the influential firefighter community, a conflict that could have lasting ramifications beyond the council's vote.
“You all tell us how much you support firefighters, how much you love labor,” Freddy Escobar, president of United Firefighters of Los Angeles City, remarked to the council. “Well, labor is with Chief Crowley on this.”
The central issue of contention was former Chief Kristin Crowley’s appeal against her termination, which Bass announced nearly two weeks prior. To overturn the decision, Crowley needed the backing of a two-thirds majority in the council—specifically, 10 members.
Ultimately, Crowley secured the support of only two members: Traci Park, who represents the district affected by the Palisades Fire, and Monica Rodriguez. Bass and council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson, a close ally, achieved a decisive 13 votes in favor of the mayor's decision.
Despite the numerical disadvantage, Crowley's appeal provided an opportunity for political fallout that could further complicate Bass's standing, as she has faced challenges since the fires erupted in early January.
The drama was exacerbated by the presence of union firefighters, notably clad in Los Angeles Fire T-shirts, while Bass was supported by civil rights groups and the Stentorians, a Black firefighters' organization. Outside City Hall, a line of spectators awaited entry long after the meeting commenced, with local television cameras capturing the unfolding events.
In her first extensive comments post-firing, Crowley systematically rebutted Bass's stated reasons for her dismissal. She described the claims that she sent home 1,000 firefighters on the day the Palisades Fire started, and that she declined to participate in an after-action report, as “false accusations.”
Furthermore, Crowley contested Bass's assertion that she didn't adequately warn her about the precarious conditions leading up to the fires—circumstances Bass indicated would have influenced her decision to be on a diplomatic trip to Ghana when the incident occurred.
More critically, Crowley addressed the consistent underfunding of the fire department, contending that the safety of Los Angeles is jeopardized due to the budgetary choices of its leaders.
“I have seen our fire departments struggle from year to year with limited funding, staffing and resources,” she stated. “We are past the point of sustaining our services without compromising public safety and the safety of our firefighters.”
The budgetary issues lay at the heart of the fracture between Bass and Crowley, who had been vocal in the media during the fires, voicing concerns that overwhelmed resources had hampered the department's response. While both women later maintained they were collaborating to mitigate the crisis, the public discord over the situation had irreversibly damaged their relationship.
Rodriguez, a regular critic of the mayor, suggested that Crowley's dismissal could intimidate government workers who might worry about the potential “political ramifications” of expressing concerns.
“It's sending the wrong message to every city employee and general manager that it is safer to stay silent than to call out what's wrong,” Rodriguez observed.
Park, the other supporter of Crowley’s appeal, expressed that accountability might require addressing culpability across multiple departments. However, she stressed the importance of having a well-informed record and evidence before taking such actions.
Other council members articulated the difficult position they faced, caught between the mayor and the firefighters, who often represent a valuable political ally, especially in times of crisis.
Some, like Imelda Padilla, sought to balance both sides, emphasizing the extraordinary courage and commitment of first responders while voting against Crowley’s appeal.
“With a very, very, very heavy heart, I will say that I'm going to put the goal of public safety and a functional city above what might be more politically expedient for me,” McOsker remarked. “Sometimes we need to risk our jobs to do our jobs.”
James del Carmen for TROIB News
“You all tell us how much you support firefighters, how much you love labor,” Freddy Escobar, president of United Firefighters of Los Angeles City, remarked to the council. “Well, labor is with Chief Crowley on this.”
The central issue of contention was former Chief Kristin Crowley’s appeal against her termination, which Bass announced nearly two weeks prior. To overturn the decision, Crowley needed the backing of a two-thirds majority in the council—specifically, 10 members.
Ultimately, Crowley secured the support of only two members: Traci Park, who represents the district affected by the Palisades Fire, and Monica Rodriguez. Bass and council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson, a close ally, achieved a decisive 13 votes in favor of the mayor's decision.
Despite the numerical disadvantage, Crowley's appeal provided an opportunity for political fallout that could further complicate Bass's standing, as she has faced challenges since the fires erupted in early January.
The drama was exacerbated by the presence of union firefighters, notably clad in Los Angeles Fire T-shirts, while Bass was supported by civil rights groups and the Stentorians, a Black firefighters' organization. Outside City Hall, a line of spectators awaited entry long after the meeting commenced, with local television cameras capturing the unfolding events.
In her first extensive comments post-firing, Crowley systematically rebutted Bass's stated reasons for her dismissal. She described the claims that she sent home 1,000 firefighters on the day the Palisades Fire started, and that she declined to participate in an after-action report, as “false accusations.”
Furthermore, Crowley contested Bass's assertion that she didn't adequately warn her about the precarious conditions leading up to the fires—circumstances Bass indicated would have influenced her decision to be on a diplomatic trip to Ghana when the incident occurred.
More critically, Crowley addressed the consistent underfunding of the fire department, contending that the safety of Los Angeles is jeopardized due to the budgetary choices of its leaders.
“I have seen our fire departments struggle from year to year with limited funding, staffing and resources,” she stated. “We are past the point of sustaining our services without compromising public safety and the safety of our firefighters.”
The budgetary issues lay at the heart of the fracture between Bass and Crowley, who had been vocal in the media during the fires, voicing concerns that overwhelmed resources had hampered the department's response. While both women later maintained they were collaborating to mitigate the crisis, the public discord over the situation had irreversibly damaged their relationship.
Rodriguez, a regular critic of the mayor, suggested that Crowley's dismissal could intimidate government workers who might worry about the potential “political ramifications” of expressing concerns.
“It's sending the wrong message to every city employee and general manager that it is safer to stay silent than to call out what's wrong,” Rodriguez observed.
Park, the other supporter of Crowley’s appeal, expressed that accountability might require addressing culpability across multiple departments. However, she stressed the importance of having a well-informed record and evidence before taking such actions.
Other council members articulated the difficult position they faced, caught between the mayor and the firefighters, who often represent a valuable political ally, especially in times of crisis.
Some, like Imelda Padilla, sought to balance both sides, emphasizing the extraordinary courage and commitment of first responders while voting against Crowley’s appeal.
“With a very, very, very heavy heart, I will say that I'm going to put the goal of public safety and a functional city above what might be more politically expedient for me,” McOsker remarked. “Sometimes we need to risk our jobs to do our jobs.”
James del Carmen for TROIB News
