Some people have noticed that Los Angeles is on fire. And it’s true, but more importantly it’s really breaking all sorts of ceilings. And not just with fire, but also with diversity.
Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Kristin Crowley is used to shattering glass ceilings. She isn’t just the first LGBTQ+ person to the lead the department, but also the first woman.
“Countless people come up and say because you’re out there being who you are and your proud of who you are, that gives them strength,” said Crowley.
“I am different, but there’s a lot of difference everywhere in the world. Within the fire service, within the LAFD. I turned it around and looked at it as a true advantage. These other areas i represent from sexual orientation to my gender, to my upbringings. We all our different, but that’s a strength of ours,” said Crowley.
Crowley is a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community and says the LAFD has come a long way in terms of inclusion adding there’s a ways to go. Crowley believes the more diverse the LAFD, the better the department is at serving a city as diverse as Los Angeles.
I don’t know, I think maybe having a bunch of people who know how to fight fires would work better. As it has for all these many years.
But LAFD went DEI. And in the process probably drove away countless qualified firefighters.
Mayor Eric Garcetti today, alongside Fire Chief Kristin Crowley, launched the Los Angeles Fire Department’s first-ever Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Bureau (DEI) focused on ensuring a safe, diverse, and inclusive workplace for all.
“We believe in, and are committed to, justice in Los Angeles — and we focus an equity lens on every aspect of our work,” said Mayor Eric Garcetti. “The Bureau of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion will help to ensure that our progress is permanent and we’re always moving forward with a city government and institutions that reflect and value our diversity.”
In January 2022, Mayor Garcetti appointed Chief Crowley, the first woman to lead the City’s Fire Department. This year, of the more than 6,500 applicants to LAFD, 70% were people of color and nearly 8% of candidates were female, which is double the current percentage of female firefighters within the Department.
“The LAFD is fully committed to creating positive change,” said Fire Chief Kristin Crowley. “With the new DEI Bureau, the Department will develop and drive forward key diversity, equity, and inclusion strategies and initiatives to enhance the LAFD’s work environment and performance. We will maximize our efforts to build and promote a culture where our diversity is truly valued and our work environment is safe and supportive for all.”
Right now, I think even the most die-hard woke in LA would take competence over diversity.