LAFD Chief Kristin Crowley on Los Angeles Wildfires: ‘One of the Most Horrific Natural Disasters in the History of Los Angeles’

EXCERPT:

CROWLEY: “And I want to be very, very clear. Yes, we took a $17 million budget cut. And as we know, any budget cut would negatively impact our ability to carry out our mission. I want to also clarify that I’m not a politician. I’m a public servant. It’s my job as the Fire Chief of the Los Angeles City Fire Department to make sure that our firefighters have exactly what they need to do their jobs. And that’s why I’m talking to you today. The Palisades fire, everybody’s seen it. It is absolutely one of the most horrific natural disasters in the history of Los Angeles. And even with an additional 100 engines, I tell you, we were not going to catch that fire. But with that being said, let me be clear, the $17 million budget cut and the elimination of our civilian positions like our mechanics, did and has and will continue to severely impact our ability to repair our apparatus.”