Los Angeles City Fire Chief Kristin Crowley is holding city budget cuts responsible for the fire department’s limited ability to respond to the devastating wildfires that have ravaged the region. Crowley warned that significant reductions in funding severely hampered the department’s emergency response efforts.
Speaking on CNN, Crowley criticized a $17 million budget cut that slashed critical resources. “Any budget cut would negatively impact our ability to carry out our mission,” she said, emphasizing that the lack of funding left firefighters without essential equipment and support during one of the city’s worst disasters.
A key issue Crowley highlighted was the elimination of civilian staff positions, particularly mechanics who maintain firefighting equipment. She revealed that more than 100 fire engines are currently out of service because there are not enough mechanics to repair them. “Having these apparatus and the proper amount of mechanics would have helped,” Crowley explained, pointing to the direct impact on response capabilities.
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
Crowley also raised concerns about the growing demand for emergency services. Since 2010, emergency calls have increased by 55%, yet the department’s staffing levels have remained stagnant. She warned that proposed cuts totaling $48.8 million could force the closure of 15 fire stations and eliminate over 300 firefighter positions, further weakening the department.
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
The Palisades fire, which Crowley described as one of the most devastating disasters in Los Angeles history, underscored the department’s limitations. “Even with an extra hundred engines, we were not going to catch that fire,” she admitted, highlighting how ill-prepared the department was to handle such a large-scale emergency.
🚨 #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 the fires continue to destroy neighborhoods, residents have been forced to evacuate under dire conditions. Families like Castey Fortich’s had to flee their homes late at night with only the essentials, unsure if they would ever return.
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 signal an urgent need for restoring funding and resources to the fire department. Without immediate action, Los Angeles remains dangerously exposed to future disasters.
