Kristen Crowley nominated for next Los Angeles Fire Department fire chief

Kristin Crowley, a deputy chief, will be the first female fire chief of the Los Angeles Fire Department.

Crowley will officially take her new role March 26 following more than 26 years working in emergency response, 22 of which were in the firefighting sector. She is currently the acting chief deputy of administrative operations and will replace Chief Ralph Terrazas, the current, retiring fire chief.

Crowley said she didn’t start off with a goal to become the fire chief but worked her entire career specializing in various positions in order to better assist the department.

As she advanced through each of the roles she worked in – including a paramedic, engineer and supervisor – Crowley found herself forming connections with her peers throughout each rank.

“That gives me the credibility and also the ability to connect with all the different ranks within our organization,” she said.

Timothy Ernst, an LAFD assistant chief, was Crowley’s captain for four months. Ernst said he was struck by her drive during their period together, adding that Crowley was the most qualified person for the position.

“Just by her work ethic, by her attitude, by her never-give-up competitiveness, … I could tell that the sky would be the limit for her,” he said.

Kris Larson, the president of Los Angeles Women in the Fire Service and a battalion chief, said Crowley is a critical, progressive thinker who values community input in decision making.

Her main goals as chief will be to improve the department’s emergency response efficacy and train more new firefighters to improve emergency response, Crowley said, adding that the department has recently seen staffing shortages because of a rise in retirements and members self-isolating from COVID-19.

Crowley also hopes to tackle firefighter safety issues and general health, particularly by focusing on mental health and creating a workplace culture of inclusivity, she added.

“We’re going to focus on creating that culture and that climate where all members – men, women, all different races, creeds, ethnicities – feel comfortable coming to work, and that comes along with a strong message for me and all the way down through the chain of command,” Crowley said.