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In a December 2024 report, then-Fire Chief Kristin Crowley said a $7-million reduction to the overtime budget “severely limited the Department’s capacity to prepare for, train for, and respond to large-scale emergencies, including wildfires, earthquakes, hazardous material incidents, and large public events.”

Union leaders also have fiercely backed Crowley, who was ousted by Bass over, in part, her handling of the Jan. 7 fire that leveled much of the Palisades and killed 12 people.

Crowley and members of her executive staff blamed City Hall budget cuts for their inability to prevent or limit the scope of the destruction.

In an interview with a Fox 11 reporter, Crowley said the city of Los Angeles and its leaders had failed her and her department.

Bass cited the LAFD’s failure to keep 1,000 firefighters on duty for a second shift as one reason she ousted Crowley.