Kristin Crowley nominated to be first female LAFD Chief

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti nominated Kristin Crowley to be the first-ever female Fire Chief of the Los Angeles Fire Department Tuesday morning. 

Current LAFD Chief Ralph Terrazas is planning to retire after a 35-year career. He was first confirmed as the LAFD's 18th fire chief in August 2014. Terrazas was the department's first Latino chief.

At a press conference Tuesday morning, Crowley said that she was honored and humbled by the nomination.

"If confirmed as your new fire chief, I will be fully committed to leading and inspiring our tremendous department into an exciting future that is filled with new opportunities to grow to innovate and to empower," she said.

Garcetti called Crowley an "extraordinary firefighter, human being, and protector of our city."

"I look for who's best not just who makes history," he added. "Because the protection of our city first and foremost has to go to the human being who is best prepared to lead. But let me be clear, that is Kristin Crowley. And this progress is incredibly important and long overdue."

Garcetti used the nomination to illustrate an increase in diversity within the department. According to Garcetti, 51.4% of the force is made up of people of color and since 2014 the department has seen an increase in the number of sworn women. 

RELATED: LA fire commissioner calls for LAFD Chief Terrazas to be replaced

"There's no question that we have more to do," Garcetti said, adding he wants to "see this effort continue" past his tenure as mayor.

Prior to this nomination, Crowley has been LAFD's Deputy Chief. She was also the department's first female fire marshal. According to her LinkedIn page, she was named to that position in 2016. 

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