Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley’s position hangs in the balance following a tense Friday meeting with Mayor Karen Bass.

Jun 1, 2022; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Fire Department chief Kristin Crowley shakes hands with Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Edwin Rios (43) after throwing the ceremonial first pitch before the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The meeting, which occurred amid ongoing wildfires devastating the city, has fueled speculation about Crowley’s future after she publicly criticized budget cuts to the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD).

Earlier on Friday, sources claimed Crowley had been fired, but the Mayor’s office denied the reports.

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In a statement to ABC7, the office confirmed the meeting but did not address Crowley’s employment status, stating only, “The Mayor and Chief met. The priority remains fighting these fires and protecting Angelenos.”

After the meeting, Crowley reportedly told staff she was “not fired yet.” A source close to her office explained, “She was going into the meeting, telling everybody goodbye, because she was told the whole purpose of the meeting was to fire her. Whatever happened in that meeting, minds got changed.”

Later Friday, the LAFD released a statement confirming Crowley’s meeting with Mayor Bass and emphasized that the fire chief “was not dismissed and is in full command of the LAFD.”

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass speaks at a press conference on Nov. 14, 2023, after a fire under Interstate 10 severely damaged the overpass in an industrial zone near downtown Los Angeles, Saturday on Nov. 11, 2023. The large blaze burned trailers, cars and other things in storage lots beneath a major highway near downtown Los Angeles, forcing the temporary closure of the roadway. It was announced at the press conference that repairs would take 3-5 weeks.

Crowley’s precarious situation follows her public condemnation of the city’s budget cuts to the fire department.

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In a Friday interview with Fox LA, Crowley criticized the Mayor’s reductions, which she said had “severely limited” the department’s ability to respond to emergencies, including the wildfires currently raging through Los Angeles.

“My message is the fire department needs to be properly funded,” Crowley said in the interview. “It’s not.”

The LAFD has been under strain from years of budget reductions.

In December, Crowley warned in a memo that a $17.6 million cut would impair the department’s emergency preparedness.

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An additional $49 million cut allegedly demanded by Bass was outlined in another memo shortly before the Palisades Fire erupted earlier this week.

Crowley also criticized the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (DWP) for its role in the crisis, revealing that the Santa Ynez Reservoir, a crucial water source, had been offline for maintenance during peak fire season.

She noted that firefighters were unaware of the reservoir’s condition and blamed water shortages for complicating efforts to combat the fires.

“When a firefighter comes up to a hydrant, we expect there’s going to be water. We don’t control the water supply,” Crowley said.

“Our firefighters did absolutely everything they could to rescue and save people’s lives and property.”

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Crowley painted a dire picture of the department’s daily challenges, stating that firefighters handle over 1,500 calls and transport 650 patients every day under normal conditions.

The wildfires have only intensified these pressures.

Mayor Bass, who was overseas in Ghana when the fires began, has faced mounting criticism for her handling of the crisis.

More than 5,000 homes have been destroyed, and an online petition demanding her resignation has garnered over 33,000 signatures.

Critics, including former mayoral candidate Rick Caruso, have lambasted Bass for being absent during the disaster.

Bass returned to Los Angeles on Thursday, where she faced a barrage of questions about the city’s preparedness.

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At a press conference, she vowed to evaluate the response once the fires are contained, saying, “When the fires are out, we will do a deep dive. Until then, my focus is on the devastation that has continued.”

Governor Gavin Newsom has ordered an investigation into the DWP’s role in the water shortages, while national figures, including Joe Biden, have expressed support for Bass.

Meanwhile, Crowley’s blunt criticism of the city’s leadership has resonated with residents and first responders alike.

“The growth of this city since 1960 has doubled, and we have fewer fire stations,” Crowley said, emphasizing the need for more funding and resources.

“We are screaming to be properly funded to make sure that our firefighters can do their jobs.”

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As Los Angeles continues to battle the wildfires, the future of its fire department—and its leadership—remains uncertain.

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