Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass removes LAFD Chief Kristin Crowley over handling of Palisades fire

Mayor Karen Bass announced Friday morning that she has officially removed Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley from her post effective immediately.

Bass has appointed former Chief Deputy Ronnie Villanueva as interim fire chief. Villanueva served with the LAFD for 41 years before retiring in September 2024. 

"Acting in the best interests of Los Angeles' public safety, and for the operations of the Los Angeles Fire Department, I have removed Kristin Crowley as Fire Chief," Bass said in a statement. "We know that 1,000 firefighters that could have been on duty on the morning the fires broke out were instead sent home on Chief Crowley's watch."

On Saturday, a day after her removal, Crowley released a statement saying her 25-year career with LAFD has been an "absolute honor" as she defended her decisions leading the fire department. 

"As the Fire Chief, I based my actions and decisions on taking care of our firefighters so that they could take care of our communities," Crowley said in the statement. "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," she said.

At a news conference Friday afternoon, Bass also said a reason for Crowley's removal was her refusal to conduct an after-action report following the fires. Bass is unclear why Crowley refused. 

Bass told reporters she had a brief conversation with Crowley about an hour before the news conference. 

Her decision comes after reported turmoil between the mayor and fire chief following the Palisades Fire that broke out on Jan. 7. The two put on a united front after speculation of the chief's firing days after it erupted. 

Bass made it clear she was not going to make a decision to remove Crowley while the city was experiencing an emergency with the fires and the rainstorms that followed. 

About a month before the Palisades Fire broke out, Crowley sent a memo to the Board of Fire Commissioners that budget cuts "have adversely affected the Department's ability to maintain core operations." Budget cuts and the department's ability to fight the fires were points of contention while the fires were burning. 

"Let me just be clear about the budget, the fire department was not cut," Bass said Friday. "I have done two budgets in my time here, in both budgets, the budgets were increased and I anticipate the budget will be increased this time as well."

Bass praised the first responders for their heroic acts and bravery to the fight the fires. She said bringing in new leadership to the department is what firefighters and the people of LA deserve. 

"While the Department is in the experienced and expert hands of Chief Villanueva, my office will lead a national search and I will speak directly with firefighters and Angelenos about what they want to see in their next permanent Chief," Bass said.

Los Angeles businessman Rick Caruso, who ran against Bass for the mayor's seat in 2022, said Bass' decision to fire Crowley is disappointing.

"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," Caruso said in a statement. "That courage to speak the truth was brave, and I admire her."

Friday afternoon, the mayor's office announced Crowley has exercised her civil service rights to stay with the LAFD at a lower rank. It will be up to Interim Chief Villanueva to assigning Crowley her duties, the mayor's office said.  

Crowley was the department's first female and LGBTQ chief. She was sworn in as chief in 2022.   

Who is interim Chief Ronnie Villanueva?

Villanueva served with the LAFD for 41 years before retiring as Chief Deputy of Emergency Operations seven months ago. 

"I am humbled by your confidence in me…I pledge to the mayor, our firefighters and the people of Los Angeles is that the Los Angeles City Fire Department will be prepared," Villanueva said after being presented as interim chief. "The Los Angeles City Fire Department will respond and the Los Angeles City Fire Department will keep you safe."  

In a statement, Bass' said he has decades of experience in fire suppression and emergency management. 

Before becoming chief officer, Villanueva spent 24 years of his career in the field working on assignments.  

The United Firefighters of LA react

The United Firefighters of Los Angeles City president blasted Mayor Karen Bass for her decision to remove Kristin Crowley as Los Angeles Fire Department chief, saying she is a "scapegoat."

President Freddy Escobar, a 35-year LAFD veteran, said firefighters stand united in recognizing her removal as a "grave mistake" by the mayor. He said during a Friday news conference that the department has long been underfunded and under-resourced and that staff was ready and available on Jan. 7 when the Palisades Fire broke out, there just weren't enough fire engines for them. "We had more members willing to participate than we had seats to put those members in," he said.

"On behalf of the firefighters I represent, I am here to say we are outraged at the termination of fire Chief Crowley, period. In our opinion, Chief Crowley is being made a scapegoat, and she is being terminated for telling the truth."

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.