LA mayor nominates 1st woman as city's fire department chief
A 22-year Los Angeles fire service veteran has been nominated to become the first woman to lead the city's fire department
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A 22-year Los Angles Fire Department veteran was nominated Tuesday to become the first woman to lead the department.
Deputy Chief Kristin Crowley would become the first female fire chief for the nation's second-largest city if the nomination by Mayor Eric Garcetti is confirmed by the City Council.
Council President Nury Martinez joined the mayor in announcing the selection at a news conference.
“This is a moment for so many little girls across our city ... for many of them who think you can't be what you can't see,” Martinez said. “And today the picture changes.”
Crowley, who currently holds the jobs of acting administrative operations chief deputy and fire marshal, said that keeping the department operationally ready would be her number one priority.
Her nomination came as the fire department deals with issues ranging from the COVID-19 pandemic to claims that its female employees face bullying and harassment.
“We will focus on firefighter safety, physical health and overall emotional well-being,” Crowley said. “As the fire chief I vow to create and support and promote a culture that truly values diversity, inclusion and equity within the entire organization.”
Harassing behavior will not be tolerated, said Crowley, who was a firefighter, paramedic, engineer and battalion chief in the steps of her career leading up her joining the department's command staff.
Garcetti recounted how Crowley and her wife, who had just retired from the Fire Department, helped a family member leave Malibu Canyon during the disastrous 2018 Woolsey Fire and then battled flames for 16 hours, saving nine out of 10 homes on that street.
“If that isn't heroism in action I'm not sure what is,” the mayor said.
Crowley would replace Ralph Terrazas, who became the department's first Latino chief in 2014 and promoted Crowley several times.
Terrazas plans to retire March 26, ending a 38-year career that included the department responding to the coronavirus pandemic by running city sites that have administered millions of COVID-19 tests and vaccinations.
The department has about 3,400 uniformed personnel and 106 fire stations serving about 4 million people across 469 square miles (1,215 square kilometers).