Dem Mayor Karen Bass not worried about LA’s lack of permanent fire chief just months after devastating wildfires

Appearing on CBS’s Face the Nation, Bass was asked by host Margaret Brennan whether it was an issue that the city had yet to appoint a permanent leader for the fire department

"No, I don’t think that’s a problem at all,” Bass responded. “Our interim fire chief has 40 years of experience; in fact, he had just recently retired. I called him in, out of retirement, during the fires. He was doing the emergency operation center. So he stepped in, didn't miss a beat by taking over the fire department. And we are prepared. We do know that it's fire season."

Ronnie Villanueva was appointed interim chief in February after Bass fired former Fire Chief Kristin Crowley following the Palisades and Eaton fires in January. Bass cited Crowley’s refusal to conduct an after-action report and a lack of preparedness for the firing. Crowley appealed the termination, but the Los Angeles City Council upheld the decision.

Villanueva had previously retired in 2024 after four decades with the department. Though it's unclear whether he will apply for the permanent position, Bass indicated he is capable of continuing to lead.

"We're doing a national search, and he is certainly open to apply. But the nation's second-largest city needs to make sure that we search the nation for the best talent," Bass added. "And I'm sure that there will be people in the department that apply, but we want to cast the net wide."