First lesbian fire chief of LA 'super inspired' about diversity, equity and inclusion

In 2022, Kristin Crowley was sworn in as the 19th fire chief of the Los Angeles Fire Department. Her appointment marked the first female and openly gay person to lead the department. 

Speaking with NBC 4 on the day her appointment was unanimously confirmed by the City Council, Crowley said she is "super inspired" about bringing diversity into the fire department. She said she’s not looking for a specific "number, it’s never enough."

The report noted that just 115 of the department’s 3,300 firefighters were women at that point and that she had a 3-year plan to increase diversity. Speaking on her sexual identity, Crowley said, "That just kind of opens the door of people that thought, 'Wow I didn’t even know that that was an opportunity for me.' "

According to NBC 4, as deputy chief of the department, Crowley helped create a five-year plan to foster a culture that is more open to change within the department. 

Crowley said ahead of coming into the chief role, "As the next fire chief, my priorities will be to ensure the LAFD stands ready and remains operationally efficient to serve our communities and this great city; that we enhance and support our firefighters' safety, health and overall well-being; and that we promote and demand a work environment that is free of harassment, discrimination and hazing."

"Our efforts will be maximized by making sure diversity is celebrated and valued, and that equity and inclusion are intertwined into every policy, procedure and practice." 

The clip resurfaced as thousands of acres are burning in the Los Angeles area due to multiple wildfires. The two largest ones, the Palisades and Eaton fires, have burned over 5,000 acres combined.  

Under the prior LAFD fire chief, Ralph Terrazas, the LAFD established a Racial Equity Action Plan in accordance with the city’s Racial Equity Vision to "end systemic, institutional, and structural racism in the City of Los Angeles."