Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Kristin Crowley revealed that over half of the city’s fire trucks were out of service due to budget cuts as wildfires swept through the region. More than 100 of the department’s 183 fire trucks were sidelined, leaving LAFD ill-equipped to handle the Palisades and Eaton fires, which have destroyed thousands of structures and claimed dozens of lives.
Chief Crowley attributed the issue to a $17.4 million budget cut approved by Mayor Karen Bass in June, which eliminated crucial civilian positions, including mechanics responsible for maintaining the fleet. Speaking with CNN, Crowley stated, “The $17 million budget cuts and elimination of our civilian positions, like our mechanics, did and has and will continue to severely impact our ability to repair our apparatus.”
The cuts compounded ongoing challenges. LAFD previously requested $96.5 million to replace aging vehicles, many of which have exceeded their service life, leading to costly repairs and prolonged downtime. The department also sought $1.9 million to restore 16 maintenance positions cut the previous year. Both requests went unfulfilled, exacerbating the department’s readiness issues.
Crowley emphasized that staffing shortages further strained LAFD’s ability to respond effectively. “We do not have enough firefighters,” she said, underscoring warnings issued over the past three years. “I rang the bell that these additional cuts could be very, very devastating for our ability to provide public safety.”
The fires have scorched over 40,000 acres, destroyed more than 12,300 structures, and caused at least 24 confirmed deaths. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection continues to monitor the fires as firefighters face mounting challenges with limited resources.
The crisis highlights the impact of budget decisions on public safety, particularly as Los Angeles confronts more frequent and severe wildfires. LAFD’s call for restored funding and resources raises critical questions about how the city prepares for and responds to natural disasters.
