Mayor Bass Cut $49M from Fire Department Before Wildfires

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has come under fire after a leaked memo revealed her demand for an additional $49 million in cuts to the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) budget, mere days before devastating wildfires swept across the city. The decision, exposed in an internal memo obtained by the Daily Mail, has sparked outrage among firefighters and residents, raising questions about the city’s preparedness and priorities.

Dated January 6, the memo outlined a worst-case scenario plan to shut down as many as 16 fire stations across Los Angeles. This proposal came just a day before the Palisades Fire broke out, highlighting what critics are calling a glaring misjudgment in leadership.

In California, wildfire alerts are often issued days or even a week in advance when conditions indicate an imminent threat. This raises the possibility that Mayor Bass and her administration were aware of the heightened risk but chose to move forward with budget cuts anyway. To make matters worse, during this critical time, Bass reportedly traveled to Africa, leaving the city to face mounting crises without its leader.

The leaked memo detailed how these cuts were intended to address the city’s fiscal constraints, reallocating funds toward homelessness programs at the expense of public safety. The memo read:

“The LAFD is still going through a FY 2024/2025 $48.8 million budget reduction exercise with the CAO. The Fire Chief, Board of Fire Commissioners, COA, and UFLAC are steadfast in their message of defending what resources we currently have in place.

The only way to provide a cost savings would be to close as many as 16 fire stations … This is a worst-case scenario and is NOT happening yet.”

This demand followed an already approved $17.6 million reduction in the LAFD’s budget last December. Critics argue these cuts severely hampered the department’s ability to respond effectively to emergencies, including wildfires.

Veteran firefighters have expressed deep frustration over the growing strain on the department. One 25-year LAFD veteran described the situation as “untenable,” citing chronic understaffing, aging equipment, and an overwhelming call volume.

“We already exhausted our budget,” the firefighter revealed. “That’s why they cut the fire academy in half, so they could save more money. That’s why we’re not testing if hydrants work anymore. We’re doing everything we can to save money.”

The firefighter went on to describe dire conditions, including:

• Fire engines being stripped for parts because replacements are unaffordable.
• A shortage of approximately 200 paramedics, with another 200 reportedly on the verge of quitting due to the overwhelming workload.
• A call volume nearly double the daily average, with the department responding to 3,800 calls in a single day.

“They expect us to take the same call volume with fewer resources. If we don’t work overtime, they suspend and threaten to terminate us. It’s untenable,” the firefighter concluded.

While slashing millions from the fire department’s budget, Mayor Bass’s administration allocated $170,000 for “Social Justice Art” and $100,000 for “transgender cafés,” among other projects. Critics have lambasted these expenditures as tone-deaf in the face of mounting public safety concerns.

DEI Fire Chief Kristin Crowley had previously warned that even the initial $17.6 million reduction would “severely limit the department’s capacity to prepare for, train for, and respond to large-scale emergencies, including wildfires.” The additional $49 million in proposed cuts only exacerbated these vulnerabilities, leaving Los Angeles dangerously unprepared for the disaster that followed.

The leaked memo has ignited widespread outrage, with many accusing Mayor Bass of prioritizing social initiatives over basic public safety. Social media users were quick to point out the irony of cutting essential services while funding niche projects.

“Karen Bass slashes $49M from the fire department and leaves the city unprotected—then jets off to Africa. Meanwhile, we’re funding ‘transgender cafés.’ Make it make sense,” one user tweeted.

Another added, “This is leadership? Cutting fire stations during wildfire season? Priorities are completely backwards.”

The timing of these budget cuts has raised significant questions about Mayor Bass’s judgment and the broader priorities of her administration. With the city still reeling from the impact of the Palisades Fire and other recent blazes, many are calling for a reassessment of leadership in Los Angeles.

For firefighters on the front lines, the situation remains dire. They face increased workloads with fewer resources, all while battling public perception that their efforts are undervalued by city leadership.

As Los Angeles braces for future wildfire seasons, residents are demanding accountability and a renewed focus on public safety. While social initiatives are undoubtedly important, critics argue that they should not come at the expense of essential emergency services.

Mayor Bass has yet to publicly address the leaked memo or the growing backlash surrounding her decisions. For now, the controversy serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of misplaced priorities—and the critical role of leadership in times of crisis.