Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass is under intense scrutiny following the revelation of a leaked memo detailing her demand for $49 million in additional budget cuts to the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD). This decision, made just days before catastrophic wildfires broke out in the city, has ignited widespread outrage and accusations of gross mismanagement.
The internal memo, dated January 6 and obtained by the Daily Mail, proposed shutting down as many as 16 fire stations citywide—a move that firefighters and residents alike say left Los Angeles grossly unprepared for disaster. Adding to the controversy is the timing: the proposed cuts were announced a day before the Palisades Fire ignited, devastating large swaths of the region.
Wildfire alerts in California are typically issued days in advance when weather and environmental conditions indicate imminent danger. Critics argue that Bass and her administration likely had access to such warnings but pushed forward with slashing the fire department’s already stretched budget.
Mayor Bass’s proposed budget cuts were intended to reallocate resources to other initiatives, primarily homelessness programs. According to the memo:
“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 came on top of $17.6 million in cuts already approved in December 2024, further straining an overburdened department.
The LAFD was already grappling with serious resource shortages before these cuts were proposed. A 25-year veteran firefighter described the department’s state as “untenable,” citing severe understaffing, aging equipment, and skyrocketing call volumes.
“We already exhausted our budget,” the firefighter told reporters. “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.”
Among the challenges facing the department:
- Chronic equipment shortages, forcing firefighters to strip parts from broken fire engines to keep others operational.
- A deficit of approximately 200 paramedics, with another 200 reportedly considering quitting due to unbearable working conditions.
- A daily call volume that nearly doubled during the wildfires, with the LAFD responding to 3,800 calls in a single day.
“They expect us to take the same call volume with fewer resources,” the firefighter said. “If we don’t work overtime, they suspend and threaten to terminate us. It’s untenable.”
While gutting the fire department’s budget, Mayor Bass’s administration allocated substantial funds to controversial projects, including $170,000 for “Social Justice Art” and $100,000 for “transgender cafés.” Critics argue these expenditures demonstrate a disturbing disregard for public safety in favor of politically driven initiatives.
Chief Kristin Crowley, a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) advocate, had warned that even the initial $17.6 million in cuts would “severely limit the department’s capacity to prepare for, train for, and respond to large-scale emergencies, including wildfires.” Yet Bass pushed for an additional $49 million in reductions.
The leaked memo has provoked outrage among Los Angeles residents and officials alike. Social media exploded with criticism, with many users accusing Mayor Bass of prioritizing ideological projects over essential services.
“Karen Bass cut $49M from the fire department and left LA vulnerable to wildfires—then flew to Africa. This is what ‘leadership’ looks like?” one Twitter user wrote.
Another commented, “Imagine slashing the fire department budget during wildfire season while funding ‘transgender cafés.’ How out of touch can you get?”
The timing of these budget cuts raises serious questions about Mayor Bass’s judgment and the broader priorities of her administration. While addressing homelessness and social justice issues are important, critics argue that such initiatives should not come at the expense of public safety.
The fallout from this decision is evident: a fire department struggling to respond to emergencies, a city left vulnerable to disasters, and a mayor facing mounting backlash for what many see as a failure of leadership.
As Los Angeles braces for future wildfire seasons, the city’s residents are demanding accountability and a shift in priorities. Firefighters continue to fight fires and save lives despite limited resources, but many fear the long-term consequences of these budget cuts.
Mayor Bass has yet to directly address the leaked memo or the growing criticism surrounding her actions. For now, the controversy serves as a stark reminder of the importance of balancing social initiatives with the fundamental responsibility of ensuring public safety.
