Los Angeles City Fire Chief Kristin Crowley has blamed significant budget cuts for crippling the fire department’s response to the catastrophic wildfires sweeping through the region. Crowley stated that the lack of funding directly contributed to the department’s inability to contain the deadly fires.
During a CNN interview, Crowley criticized the city’s decision to cut $17 million from the fire department’s budget. “Any budget cut would negatively impact our ability to carry out our mission,” she said. Crowley emphasized that these cuts severely hindered the department’s operational readiness and left firefighters without the necessary tools to protect the city.
Crowley highlighted how the elimination of civilian staff, particularly mechanics, 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 noted, explaining that repairing and maintaining fire equipment was essential for responding to emergencies.
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The fire chief also raised concerns about the department’s growing workload. Since 2010, emergency calls have increased by 55%, but staffing levels have not kept pace. Crowley revealed that the city had asked her to prepare for an additional $48.8 million budget cut, which could lead to the closure of 15 fire stations and the loss of more than 300 firefighter positions.
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Crowley described the Palisades fire as one of the worst disasters Los Angeles has ever faced. She admitted that even with more fire engines, the department still could not have stopped the massive blaze. “Even with an extra hundred engines, we were not going to catch that fire,” Crowley explained.
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As wildfires continue to destroy communities, many residents have been forced to flee their homes with little warning. Families like Castey Fortich’s evacuated late at night, leaving behind everything they owned. Their experience reflects the consequences of the city’s budget decisions.
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Crowley’s warnings make it clear that underfunding public safety services puts lives and property at risk. Without immediate investment, Los Angeles remains vulnerable to future disasters.
