
Los Angeles City Fire Chief Kristin Crowley has warned that recent budget cuts significantly hindered the fire department’s ability to manage the devastating wildfires currently ravaging the region. Crowley pointed to financial decisions by city officials as a key factor in the department’s inability to contain the destruction.
Speaking on CNN, Crowley highlighted how a $17 million budget reduction has severely impacted the fire department’s operations. “Any budget cut would negatively impact our ability to carry out our mission,” Crowley stated. She explained that these financial cuts directly affected the department’s resources and staffing levels, putting public safety at risk.
Crowley stressed that the elimination of civilian positions, including critical maintenance staff, worsened the situation. Due to staff shortages, more than 100 fire engines are currently out of service. “Having these apparatus and the proper amount of mechanics would have helped,” Crowley explained, emphasizing that fully operational equipment is essential for emergency responses.
BREAKING: The Fire Chief that blasted elected officials in California just doubled down on their failures!
They need to resign ASAP!
"The $17 million budget cut and the elimination of our civilian positions, like our mechanics did, has and will continue to severely impact our… pic.twitter.com/XsRxqYN5oG
— Gunther Eagleman™ (@GuntherEagleman) January 10, 2025
The fire chief also warned that the department is being stretched too thin. Since 2010, the number of emergency calls has increased by 55%, but staffing has not grown to meet the rising demand. Crowley revealed that she was asked to prepare for a potential $48.8 million budget cut, which could force the closure of 15 fire stations and cut over 300 firefighter positions.
L.A. Fire Chief Kristin Crowley warned Mayor Karen Bass (D) last month the $17+ million she cut from the department's budget "severely limited the department's capacity to prepare for, train for, and respond to large-scale emergencies, including wildfires" pic.twitter.com/tgzIAeHIsQ
— Ryan Saavedra (@RealSaavedra) January 9, 2025
Crowley described the Palisades fire as one of the worst disasters in Los Angeles history. She admitted that even with more fire engines, the department could not have fully contained the massive blaze. “Even with an extra hundred engines, we were not going to catch that fire,” she said.
🚨 #BREAKING: LA Fire Chief calls out Mayor Bass for slashing the Fire Department’s budget
Chief Crowley confirms she warned the Mayor that the Fire Department would NOT be able to handle potential wildfires, but the Mayor insisted on cuts anyway.
REPORTER: “Did the city fail… pic.twitter.com/0atW9sBYxT
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) January 10, 2025
As wildfires continue to destroy homes and force mass evacuations, families like Castey Fortich’s were left scrambling to escape. Many residents evacuated in the middle of the night, taking only essential items with them.
Democrats in Sacramento CUT wildfire prevention by 80% at the same time LA Mayor Karen Bass slashed her fire department budget—even when her own Fire Chief warned those cuts would limit their ability to fight a fire like this. This is inexcusable and we need to kick every… pic.twitter.com/hyYnWOlJh5
— Bill Essayli (@billessayli) January 10, 2025
LA Fire Chief Kristin Crowley just wrecked Mayor Karen Bass:
“Let me be clear. The $17M budget cut and elimination of our civilian positions like our mechanics did and has and will continue to severely impact our ability to repair our apparatus.”
Someone is losing their job. pic.twitter.com/OaPNasS3oZ
— Paul A. Szypula 🇺🇸 (@Bubblebathgirl) January 10, 2025
Crowley’s warnings highlight how budget cuts have directly impacted the city’s ability to protect its residents. Without proper funding, Los Angeles remains dangerously vulnerable to future disasters.