LA fire sounded alarm on budget cuts impacting wildfire response: memo

A month ago, the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) chief announced that nearly $18 million in budget cuts have left the department with “unprecedented operational challenges” that are hampering its ability to respond to large-scale emergencies like wildfires. I warned you that

LAFD Director Christine Crowley addressed budget cuts in a Dec. 4 memo seen by Fox News Digital, predicting what she called a “cascading effect” on the department from cost-cutting measures. did.

The city cut $17.6 million from the LAFD in its latest budget, a decision that has drawn harsh criticism as multiple large fires break out across the county and at least 10 deaths have already been announced. .

California wildfires wreak havoc in Los Angeles County, killing 5 people and threatening thousands of homes

The budget was approved by Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, whose leadership has come under scrutiny, but she denied that the cuts hindered the city's response. This reduction will take effect on July 1, 2024.

Crowley wrote that these cuts eliminated critical civilian jobs and removed about $7 million from LAFD's overtime budget, known as “v hours.”

“These budget cuts have negatively impacted the department's ability to maintain core operations such as technology and communications infrastructure, payroll processing, training, fire protection, and community education,” Crowley wrote.

“The reduction in v hours has significantly limited the department's ability to prepare for, train for, and respond to large-scale emergencies, including wildfires, earthquakes, hazardous materials incidents, and large public events,” Crowley said. I'm writing it in my notes. .

Flames from the Palisades Fire burn through buildings on Sunset Boulevard during a powerful rainstorm in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles on January 8, 2025. (Apu Gomez/Getty Images)

Photo Gallery: Before and After Palisade Fire

v Various time-sensitive departments and teams are currently at risk of “inefficiency''.

A 21-page memo titled “Impact on Los Angeles Fire Department Operations” further details the impact of the budget cuts. The document was submitted last month to the Fire Commission, a board of mayoral appointees that oversees fire department operations, NBC Los Angeles reported.

For example, some of the overtime was used to pay for FAA-mandated pilot training and helicopter coordinators to suppress wildfires, according to Crowley's memo to the fire commission.

“Without this funding, pilot compliance and readiness will be at risk and aerial firefighting capabilities will be reduced,” the memo said. “Changes to the aviation operations sector will impact the department's ability to comply with current automatic and mutual aid agreements, provide air ambulance services, and quickly respond to bushfires with water cannon helicopters.”

Mr Crowley called for the funding to be restored.

“This report provides a detailed analysis of these cascading effects and highlights the critical need for resource recovery to ensure operational readiness, firefighter safety and quality public service delivery. “I am,” she wrote.

Bass was asked about the budget cuts at a news conference Thursday and denied that the cuts weakened the city's response.

“There were no cuts made that would affect the situation that we were dealing with over the last few days,” Bass said.

“There was a little bit of confusion after that because the money was earmarked to be distributed later, and it was actually supposed to support fire department salaries and other parts that were distributed a little later. So, I think that's correct.''Everyone knew we were in a tough time budget-wise, but the impact of the budget has really been on what we've been experiencing the last few days.'' The most important thing to understand is that it doesn't affect you. ”

Firefighters work to extinguish the Eaton Fire on Wednesday, January 8, 2025, in Altadena, California. (Jason Almond/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

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In addition to the budget cuts, Basu has also faced criticism for being in Ghana for the presidential inauguration when a fire broke out in the city on Tuesday. President-elect Trump has placed some of the blame for the disaster on California Governor Newsom, who refused to sign a water restoration declaration and criticized the governor for declining water quality. Fire containment.

Crowley told reporters Thursday that the Palisades fire, which was still 0% contained as of this report, was “one of the most devastating natural disasters in Los Angeles history.” .

A spokesperson for the mayor's office did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.

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FOX News' Emmett Jones contributed to this report.