Former Los Angeles Fire Chief Christine Crowley began the appeal process following Mayor Karen Bass' decision to fire him a week ago.
Her appeal decision comes after Bass' decision attracted criticism for councillors and what they say is “misinuating the facts.”
Crawley announced his appeal to city council members Thursday.
“I choose to proceed with the council appeal provided by Los Angeles Charter, Section 5, Section 5.08(e) as Mayor of Bus removed me from his position as fire chief at the Los Angeles City Fire Department on February 21, 2025,” read Crawley's memo. “I look forward to hearing from you if there is a next step.”
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass is fire chief who said the city failed residents in a wildfire
Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Christine Crowley will speak at a press conference held on Thursday, February 15th, 2024 at Harbour Ukra Medical Center in the West Carson area of Los Angeles. (Richard Vogel/AP)
Bass announced that he had fired Crowley after the devastating Palisade fire last month and appointed former Chief Deputy Deputy Director, a 41-year LAFD veteran, as interim fire chief. She said it was Los Angeles' greatest benefit.
“As we acted in the best interests of public safety in Los Angeles and to run the Los Angeles Fire Department, I removed Christine Crowley as fire chief. We know that 1,000 firefighters who could have had a fire on duty were sent home to Crowley's watches instead. Removal.
Council President Marquis Harris Dawson added an appeal to the agenda hours after Crowley's announcement to be discussed at the special council meeting at 5pm on Friday.
Her appeal decision comes after Bass' decision attracted criticism for councillors and what they say is “misinuating the facts.” (United Firefighter, IAFF Local 112, Los Angeles)
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United Firefighters at Los Angeles City Local 112 are unions representing city firefighters and are Crawley supporters, and in Facebook posts, there are only 24-hour notices at a “special meeting” to hear about the charms of Crawley Chief.
“This is an example of why citizens do not trust the city hall and our city leaders in the constant failures that have occurred since the fire broke out on January 7th. This is not transparent, fair or just.
The union went on to say that they believe the reason she was fired is being manufactured, and that in reality, Crawley was fired for telling the truth.
“Our rank and file firefighters on the ground are strong supporters of Chief Crowley. They know the truth, we have her back, and we fight for the right to set her rights straight,” they said.
“This is the first city council meeting to recognize that it is scheduled for Friday at 5pm with a 24-hour notice, and it is clear that some of the city councils are trying to fill this issue when no one is looking.
From the right, Mayor Karen Bass and Chief Recovery Officer Steve Soborov will discuss recovery efforts at a press conference at Pacific Pallisard on Monday, January 27th, 2025. (Getty Images via Drew A. Kelley/Medianews Group/Long Beach Press-Telegram)
Crawley's appeal would require at least 10 of the 15 members to vote. It remains unclear how the vote will progress when four councillors stood behind base during the press conference as she announced her decision to remove Crowley.
Councillor Bob Blumenfield believes that is the mayor's right to hire and fire anyone she wants.
“She needs to have full confidence in the general manager and her chief. If she loses that confidence, she has all the rights to change the head of the department,” he said earlier this week.
Los Angeles city charter The mayor will allow the ability to remove most department heads, including fire chiefs, without council approval.
The Charter also gives fired employees the right to appeal the council with a decision that has the potential for recovery.
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The city council will have a 10-day meeting to act on Crawley's submission, according to the charter.
