By FireRescue1 Staff
LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Kristin Crowley is purportedly under attack by current and retired chief officers from the department.
NewsNation obtained a scathing letter addressed to Chief Crowley and signed only “Retired and Active LAFD Chief Officers.” It is unknown how many members the letter represents or how NewsNation obtained the document.
The five-page letter attacks Crowley and her command staff’s handling of the massive wildfires impacting Los Angeles as well as the chief’s public feud with Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass over department funding during the ongoing response efforts.
Some excerpts from the letter, downloadable below:
- “You have been aware of the budget issues of the LAFD prior to your appointment as Fire Chief, yet now you publicly proclaim that you have been sounding the alarm about the LAFD budget to no avail? Please do not be disingenuous as we know better.”
- “Your outburst regarding the budget and the statement that the ‘City failed the LAFD’ was ill-advised, poorly timed and took away from the most important issue, the Palisades fire.”
- “As harsh as this sounds, the horrific truth is that you and your command staff own this terrible loss of life.”
- “You may feel that you and your current command staff are up to that incredible responsibility and challenge; however you must know that a large number of Chief Officers do not believe you are up to the task and feel that your retirement from the position of Fire Chief would be the best for the citizens of Los Angeles, the members of the LAFD, yourself and your family.”
The letter also lists 11 “critical issues” that Chief Crowley has “ignored and or failed to resolve” over the past two years.
NewNation reports that, according to its sources, a group of around 100 fire chiefs and former chiefs have received the letter, as has Crowley.
