The Los Angeles Fire Department’s Fire Prevention Bureau has faced allegations of corruption, laziness, harassment, and discrimination for years. These black marks against the LAFD include incidents such as a deputy chief being drunk on duty during a wildfire, fake inspections, and a culture of fraud and corner-cutting. Lawsuits have been settled for millions of dollars due to incompetence, untrained recruits, and retaliation against whistleblowers. Allegations of racism and sexism have also plagued the department, leading to multiple settlements and resignations.
Former Fire Chief Ralph Terrazas resigned in 2022 amid allegations of racism and sexism, and was replaced by Kristin Crowley, the department’s first female and openly lesbian fire chief. However, Crowley now faces legal troubles of her own as she is being sued for launching a smear campaign against a former employee and firing her after accusations of improper behavior. Despite these allegations, the LAFD has not publicly responded to questions regarding what steps have been taken to address the alleged toxicity within the department.
The LAFD’s Fire Prevention Bureau has been under scrutiny for faked inspections, lazy code enforcement, and hostile behavior towards women and minorities. Allegations of racism, sexism, and discrimination within the bureau have led to settlements totaling millions of dollars. Amid the ongoing investigations and lawsuits, the LAFD is facing public outrage over its handling of these serious issues.
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