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LA mayor says she and fire chief are focused on fighting wildfires and will handle differences "in private"
From CNN's Matt Meyer
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass on Saturday acknowledged the
public criticism she has faced from Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley, but said the two remain united in fighting the wildfires gripping the region, and that there will be time in the future to examine any shortcomings in the city’s response.
“Let me be clear about something, the fire chief and I are focused on fighting these fires and saving lives, and any differences that we might have will be worked out in private,” Bass said at a news conference Saturday. “But right now, our first and most important obligation to Angelenos is to get through this crisis.”
Bass said that once the fires are out, there will be time for officials to evaluate their emergency response, promising a “full accounting of what worked — and especially, what did not.”
But the mayor noted it will also be time to focus on recovery efforts.
Bass acknowledged some of the anger and confusion among LA residents as deadly wildfires rack the region.
“For all Angelenos: We are hurting … still in shock, and angry. And I am, too,” Bass said.
Key context: Crowley
said Friday that city officials failed her department by
slashing its budget by $17 million — a decision that she said is now negatively affecting the agency’s ability to battle the raging wildfires in the county.
A source later told CNN that Bass had held a meeting with Crowley on Friday afternoon, but the mayor’s office denied a published report that she had fired the fire chief.
Crowley was present at today’s news conference where Bass made the remarks about moving forward.
LAFD statement: A Los Angeles Fire Department spokesperson later released a statement echoing Bass’ remarks, saying the mayor and chief’s “foremost priorities continue to be fighting the current wildfires and safeguarding Angelenos.” The statement reiterated that Crowley had not been dismissed by Bass and remains at the helm of LAFD.
This post has been updated with a statement from the Los Angeles Fire Department.
CNN’s Sarah Dewberry contributed to this post.
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