Firefighter union rallies behind LAFD chief, denounces unsigned attack on her performance

The union that represents more than 3,000 Los Angeles city firefighters renewed its support for Fire Chief Kristin Crowley on Friday, denouncing an anonymous letter that accused her of mishandling the response to the massively destructive Palisades fire. United Firefighters of Los Angeles City Local 112 condemned a letter circulated this week — one that claimed to be from “retired and active LAFD chief officers” but contained no names or signatures — saying Crowley had “failed” the residents of Los Angeles and lost the confidence of Mayor Karen Bass. “Your outburst regarding the budget and the statement that the ‘City failed the LAFD’ was ill-advised, poorly timed and took away from the most important issue, the Palisades fire.” The unsigned letter faulted Crowley over several other issues, including personnel complaints, city payroll problems and allegations that the agency failed to sufficiently prepare for the fire. On Thursday, the agency’s Chief Officers Assn., which represents dozens of command staff, weighed in with its own letter commending Crowley’s “courageous leadership and advocacy.” “Your recent action highlighted a truth we all know too well,” said the one-page document, which was signed by union President Robert Nelson. Loyola Marymount University political science professor Fernando Guerra said he viewed Crowley’s media blitz last week — and her claims that the city had failed her agency — as a “fireable offense.” Crowley broke ranks with other city leaders in the middle of a crisis, just as they needed to project unity, said Guerra, who also runs Loyola Marymount’s Center for the Study of Los Angeles.