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The fallout over the ouster of Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley continues.
In addition to union firefighters and Los Angeles Women in the Fire Service, another organization -- Equity on Fire -- is demanding Crowley be reinstated.
Crowley was fired Feb. 21 by Mayor Karen Bass, who has criticized her handling of the historic, deadly wildfires.
"During the Palisades Fire, Chief Crowley demonstrated exceptional leadership by
strategically deploying resources in advance, coordinating with regional and state
agencies, and managing operations amid record-setting Santa Ana winds.
On January 7, the LAFD responded to over 3,000 emergency calls and 50 structure fires while
simultaneously addressing the wildfire—a testament to Chief Crowley’s command
capabilities and her unwavering commitment to citywide safety," Equity on Fire officials' statement read.
The group says it stands with the union and the LAWFS to support Crowley.
Interim President of the Los Angeles Women in Fire Tanya Crabbe told Fox11: "It's a shame that the mayor doesn't support our fire chief because if she doesn't support our fire chief, how does she support us as firefighters out in the field protecting the citizens of Los Angeles? I believe the mayor is taking blame away from herself and trying to place it on Chief Kristin Crowley."
"I’ve worked personally with Chief Crowley for many years, and she's highly, highly supported by all ranks and files," the firefighter paramedic said.
The chief's supporters say the mayor's claim that 1,000 firefighters were sThe ent home the night the Palisades Fire broke out is false.
"All LAFD resources were fully staffed on Jan. 7. and there were many firefighters available for recall who were willing to serve, But there simply were not enough additional operational fire engines available to be in service to accommodate those members. There were no fire engines, no trucks, no ambulances to put these extra firefighters on in order to go out to the fire," according to the LAWIF letter.
United Firefighters of Los Angeles City President Freddy Escobar agrees, telling abc7 recently: "We had more firefighters wanting to assist than we had positions to put them in. We had members at stations waiting to get an assignment. We didn't have the resources, because we don't have the mechanics to fix all the dilapidated engines, or rescues or trucks that need some form of repair."
Escobar said mechanics were cut as part of the city's budget, but the union was able to get some of those positions back, just not all of them.
"It's unacceptable. I mean, the residents of Los Angeles pay millions and millions of dollars to purchase these fire engines and fire trucks, and we need the mechanics to fix them. We have a very robust maintenance process that our members, our drivers follow, but the repair side is on the city side. It's a city responsibility, and it's just gotten worse," he said.
Firefighters say Bass' move was an ""inaccurate and a blatant attempt to shift blame to where it does not belong."
Bass also claimed Crowley refused to do an after-action report on the deadly blaze.
Los Angeles Councilwoman Traci Park, who represents Pacific Palisades, wrote in a statement after the chief was terminated: "From day one after the Palisades Fire, I introduced legislation commissioning an independent, after-action report that was approved unanimously. It's important that the analysis be independent, not the LAFD investigating itself or the Fire Commission made up of political appointees."
The letter sent by the female firefighters' group concludes: "Chief Crowley has proven herself to be a competent, consummate professional and, without question, is the most qualified person to lead the LAFD."
