Los Angeles mayor nominates city’s first female fire chief

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti (D) has nominated a woman to become the city’s first female chief of the fire department. 

Garcetti nominated Chief Deputy and Fire Marhshall Kristin Crowley to fill the position, according to a post from the mayor’s office shared to Twitter on Tuesday. 

“Today, L.A. makes history. @CD6Nury and I are honored to announce Chief Deputy and Fire Marshall Kristin Crowley as the next Chief of the @LAFD,” Garcetti’s office said.   

“If confirmed, Chief Deputy Crowley will be the first woman to lead the department and she will lead with courage and distinction.” 

Crowley, a 22-year veteran of the Los Angeles Fire Department, said that keeping the department fundamentally ready is her number one priority, according to The Associated Press.

Crowley’s nomination comes amid a series of challenges for the department including the increasingly intense weather in California, allegations of bullying and harassment against women in the department and the continued hardships of the coronavirus pandemic. 

Crowley said that keeping the fire department operationally ready would be a priority if she becomes chief, according to the AP. She also said that the department will concentrate on the health and well-being of firefighters. 

“We will focus on firefighter safety, physical health and overall emotional well-being,” Crowley said, according to the wire service. “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.”

If she is confirmed, Crowley will replace current fire Chief Ralph Terrazas, who plans to retire on March 26, ending his 38-year career with the department. 

Terrazas became the department’s first Latino chief in 2014 and promoted Crowley several times during his term, the AP noted.