'We got work to do;' Kristin Crowley sworn in as LAFD's first female, LGBTQ fire chief
The Los Angeles Fire Department will make history Friday as it prepares to swear in Kristin Crowley as its first female fire chief.
Crowley, a 22-year veteran of the Los Angeles Fire Department, will also be the agency's first LGBTQ and paramedic fire chief.
"It really feels incredible. I feel so honored," Crowley said during a Jan. interview after the announcement was first made, noting how she was "truly humbled to be in this position."
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti swore Crowley in at a Friday afternoon ceremony. When he announced her nomination, he touted her impeccable service record. Since she took the firefighters' exam in 1998 and scored among the top 50 out of 16,000 applicants, Crowley has risen through the ranks from firefighter, captain, and deputy chief.
"Throughout her distinguished career, Kristin Crowley has proven her brilliance, determination and bravery on the job again and again,'' Garcetti said in announcing Crowley's nomination on Jan. 18. "She's also shown this city her heart, with her tireless commitment to helping students access life- changing educational opportunities. There is no one better equipped to lead the LAFD at this moment than Kristin. She's ready to make history, and I'm proud to nominate her as the department's next chief.''
After the swearing-in, Crowley spoke to the cameras where she said, "Here I am. This is who I represent. I cannot wait to start the work."
"We got work to do," she continued. "And we're okay with that."
This won't be Crowley's first history-making appointment. In 2016, she became Los Angeles' first female fire marshal. She was unanimously voted in by the city council, confirming the promotion.
Los Angeles City Council President Nury Martinez, who has worked with the new fire chief over the years as a part of Girls Fire Camp -- a program designed to recruit and retain female firefighters for the future -- noted that Crowley is a perfect example for anyone who has ever dreamt of being a firefighter.
Crowley is succeeding Chief Ralph Terrazas, the department's first Latino fire chief, who plans to retire this year. Terrazas called Crowley "an exemplary leader and has a broad base of experience that will serve the department well.
One of Crowley's first goals is to tackle a string of bullying, discrimination and harassment of female firefighter allegations made against LAFD in recent years.
"We're going to start talking and training and ensuring our people understand that, but it's also ensuring we have accountability that's worked into the overall investigation," she said.
