Years of alleged misconduct and mismanagement within the Los Angeles Fire Department have come under intense scrutiny following recent devastating blazes.
According to the New York Post, the LAFD's Fire Prevention Bureau, responsible for building inspections and brush clearance, has been plagued by accusations of corruption, discrimination, and negligence before the current fires ravaging Los Angeles.
The bureau's troubled history includes claims of falsified inspections and poor code enforcement, leading to multiple lawsuits and substantial settlements.
A 2015 LA Times investigation revealed thousands of high-risk buildings had gone uninspected for years, while CBS2 uncovered evidence of phantom inspections at closed facilities the following year.
Former Bureau Chief Lawsuit Reveals Deep-Rooted Issues
The dismissal of Fire Prevention Bureau chief John Vidovich sparked significant controversy when he filed a retaliation lawsuit against the department. Vidovich claimed he was forced out after exposing widespread fraud and negligent practices within the bureau. His case resulted in an $800,000 settlement from the city.
A group of six fire inspectors filed another lawsuit in 2017, alleging the bureau hired unqualified recruits to address inspection backlogs. These employees faced retaliation when they voiced concerns about substandard inspections, being labeled as "internal terrorists" and denied career advancement opportunities.
The plaintiffs, who were black, highlighted systemic racism within the department. They claimed that black and female firefighters in the Fire Prevention Bureau were stereotyped as avoiding actual firefighting duties, leading to a $3 million settlement in 2022.
Leadership Controversies Extend Beyond Prevention Bureau
The department's handling of misconduct allegations has drawn criticism from multiple employee organizations. Deputy Chief Fred Mathis faced accusations of being intoxicated during a 2021 Pacific Palisades wildfire response but was cleared after a seven-month investigation determined he had marked himself sick.
Former Fire Chief Ralph Terrazas resigned in 2022 amid allegations of widespread sexism and abuse against women firefighters. The department's current chief, Kristin Crowley, who made history as its first woman and openly lesbian leader, now faces her own legal challenges from a former employee alleging wrongful termination and improper conduct.
A female administrator, previously the second-highest-ranking woman in the department, claims Crowley launched a smear campaign against her after she discovered the chief's alleged refusal to return $37,000 in overpayment. The harassment allegedly culminated in the administrator's termination in 2023.
Legacy of Systemic Problems Haunts Current Crisis
The Fire Prevention Bureau's history of alleged misconduct spans multiple administrations and leadership changes. The pattern of settlements, including Vidovich's $800,000 and the fire inspectors' $3 million payout, suggests deep-rooted institutional problems.
Recent developments, including Mathis's $1.4 million settlement and ongoing discrimination lawsuits, indicate persistent challenges in addressing workplace culture issues. Minority and women firefighter organizations argue that such favorable settlements would be unlikely for non-white or female employees.
The department's responses to these allegations remain limited, with the LAFD declining to comment on Chief Crowley's efforts to address the reported toxicity within the organization. As Los Angeles faces its most destructive wildfires in history, these unresolved internal issues cast a shadow over the department's effectiveness in preventing and responding to fires.
