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A historic day in Los Angeles! Mayor Eric Garcetti and City Council President Nury Martinez announced the first Los Angeles Fire Department's first female fire chief, Kristin Crowley.
ABC7 LA broke the news early this morning, after nearly 40 years of working with the LAFD, current fire chief Ralph Terrazas would be retiring and a new deputy chief would be named.
Kristin Crowley currently serves as the Los Angeles Fire Department's Deputy Chief and Fire Marshal. She has been with the department for 22 years and has quickly climbed up the ranks. She made history as the fire female fire marshal and became the second woman to become chief deputy. She will continue to make history as the first female to become fire chief in Los Angeles if confirmed.
"Throughout her distinguished career, Kristin Crowley has proven her brilliance, determination and bravery on the job again and again. She's also shown this city her heart, with her tireless commitment to helping student's 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."
Mayor Garcetti told ABC 7 as he spoke about Crowley
City Council President Nury Martinez spoke about how Crowley's new title is a win for girls across Los Angeles:
"Today is a big moment in this City. For the first time in its history the Los Angeles Fire Department will be led by a woman,"
She continued by saying,
"Chief Kristin Crowley is known by her colleagues and by this city as someone who is dedicated, hardworking, and goes above and beyond what is expected of her. This announcement is not just important for the City of Los Angeles, but for girls across LA who never imagined they could one day serve as Chief of the Los Angeles Fire Department."
Crowley also serves as program director of LAFD's youth development program.
Current LAFD Fire Chief Ralph Terrazas was sworn in, in 2014 and became the first Latino to serve as chief. He has backed Crowley's nomination calling her "an exemplary leader"