Karen Bass may have misrepresented her office’s involvement in creating the Los Angeles Fire Department’s after-action report regarding the Palisades fire.
Recently, the mayor denied that her office had altered the report, which she had reviewed before its public release.
A spokesperson stated, “Mayor Bass has been clear for months. She only asked LAFD to review an early draft and confirm its accuracy on matters like weather and budget.”
However, as highlighted by the Post, these factors were central to the failures during the incident in January.
On Monday, journalist Jamie Page reported on the first draft of the document, detailing how the mayor intended to ensure it was “accurate.”
Page found that numerous significant changes had been made from the initial draft to the final version.
- The final version excludes any mention of the mayor’s office in the report’s preparation.
- It removed a claim that the fire department attempted to save costs by not “pre-deploying all available resources.” The final draft instead praised the department’s “adequate preparations.”
- The initial draft noted that adhering to protocols for previous weather events would have mobilized more personnel. In contrast, the final version indicated a lack of staffing during the fire’s “initial response,” hinting at potential shortcomings of front-line firefighters.
- While the draft indicated firefighters “lacked clarity on communication protocols” on-site, the final version placed the blame on them, stating that “the majority failed to communicate their needs.”
- The draft pointed out that 40 fire engines were unavailable due to mechanical issues that morning. The final version mentioned this, but only after suggesting that the fleet was generally ready for deployment.
- Additionally, other phrasing shifted significantly from the draft to the final product. Terms like “failure” were softened to “major challenge,” and “injury” was downplayed to “minor injury.” Even references to “wind” were altered.
These edits appear designed to diffuse responsibility, shifting blame away from the mayor and senior staff onto firefighters.
It’s essential for the mayor to clarify why discrepancies exist between her public statements and the report’s content.
This matter extends beyond just how we prepare for natural disasters or how we manage crises. It raises questions about leadership and integrity.
Despite the backlash following the Palisades fire, the mayor has resisted calls for her resignation, venturing out of the country just before the severe winds began on January 7 last year.
Now, as she campaigns for re-election, she seeks the public’s trust once more. Voters will have to decide if Karen Bass truly deserves that trust.
