LAFD chief says budget cuts hindered response to California fires

 

 

Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley responded to budget cuts that she says have impacted firefighters’ abilities to fight the deadly wildfires still burning in the area.

In an interview with FOX LA’s Gigi Graciette, Crowley said she’s sounding the alarm about what the fire department needs as frustrated and devastated residents continue to criticize the city and county’s response.

"My message is the fire department needs to be properly funded," Crowley said. "It’s not."

The massive blazes – the Palisades, Eaton, Kenneth, Hurst and Lidia fires – have killed 8 people, obliterating whole neighborhoods and leaving residents on edge as more strong winds are expected to return next week.

LAFD budget cuts

According to Los Angeles City Controller Kenneth Mejia, the city cut the LAFD's funding by $17.6 million in the 2025 fiscal year, which started on July 1, 2024. Compared to the city's other departments, the LAFD saw the second-largest cut, next to street services.

Looking at the budget summaries for the 2023-2024 fiscal year and the 2024-2025 fiscal year, though, shows the year-over-year difference is closer to about $30 million.

Mayor Karen Bass addressed those budget restrictions during a press conference Thursday, in response to a question by FOX 11 reporter Bob DeCastro.

"I think if you go back and look at the reductions that were made, there were no reductions that were made that would have impacted the situation that we were dealing with over the last couple of days. And then there was a little bit of confusion because money was allocated to be distributed later on, which was actually going to support salaries and other parts of the fire department that were distributed a little later," Bass said.

"So I think it's most important to understand that we were in tough budgetary times. Everybody knew that. But that impact of our budget really did not impact what we've been going through over the last few days."

Crowley, however, disagreed.

"Yes, it was cut and it did impact our ability to provide service," Crowley said.  "Any budget cut is going to impact our ability to provide service.

Crowley said since 2010, the amount of calls firefighters have responded to has doubled, but there are fewer fire stations now than there were then – and 68 fewer firefighters.

"This isn't a new problem for us," Crowley said. "The fire department needs to be funded appropriately so that I can look any community member in the eye and say your LAFD’s got your back."

Crowley said right now, she can’t do that, and it’s one reason why she gave the interview.

"None of us on the fire department are politicians. We're public servants first.," Crowley said. "We took an oath to serve the public before ourselves and even before our families. So with that, I want to focus on a path forward. I want to focus on what the LAFD needs, what I need as a fire chief and what our people need to do their jobs to make sure that we can save lives and that we can protect property to the greatest capacity. But we need to be funded appropriately. And that's where my head is.

"This is more than a job for us. This is who we are. This is our duty," she continued.