Los Angeles Fire Chief's Firing Could be Overturned by City Council
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Ousted Los Angeles Fire Chief Kirstin Crowley is being urged to appeal her firing.
Chief Kiristin Crowley was fired Friday by Mayor Karen Bass weeks after the deadly historic wildfires.
Crowley decided to utlitze her civil service rights to remain at the department at a lower rank.
While the city charter allows Bass to remove most department heads without the city council’s approval. However, Crowley also has the right to file an appeal within “10 calendar days of the removal,” KTLA reported.
“The council may reinstate the chief administrative officer by a two-thirds vote of the council,” the city charter states. Failure of the council to reinstate the chief administrative officer during this time period shall constitute a denial of the appeal,” the station noted. quoting the city code.
Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez, representing the city’s 7th district, which includes neighborhoods like Pacoima, Sunland-Tujunga and Sylmar, is urging Crowley to appearl.
“Chief Crowley remains the most qualified member of the Los Angeles City Fire Department, and she earned her well-deserved appointment as Fire Chief. I am outraged by the scapegoating revealed by the mayor’s actions. I plan to use my authority as a councilmember to set the record straight and encourage Chief Crowley to appeal the mayor’s baseless termination to the City Council. The public deserves a full account of every single leadership failure that has taken place,” according to Rodriquez's statement.
Former mayoral candidate Rick Caruso praised Crowley for her leadership.
"It is very disappointing that Mayor Bass has decided to fire Chief Kristin Crowley. 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," according to Caruso's statement on X.
Crowley spoke out Saturday about her firing.
“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.”
