L.A. Councilmember Monica Rodriguez says she's 'outraged' over Crowley's firing as LAFD chief

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- During an interview with Eyewitness News Friday, Los Angeles Councilmember Monica Rodriguez, who represents the 7th District, said she was "incredibly outraged and disappointed" in Mayor Karen Bass's firing of LAFD Chief Kristin Crowley.

Bass blamed Crowley for improperly staffing the Palisades and Eaton fires and said that Crowley refused to do an "after-action" report on the fires after the president of the Fire Commission asked her to. These actions, Bass said, required her removal.

Rodriguez disagrees with the mayor's statement.

"One of the things that really troubled me is this idea that she didn't respond to the after-action report," said Rodriguez. "That is standard protocol and that frankly is not something that ever happens quickly nor is it something that I ever experienced in all of the incidents that Chief Crowley has been a part of, refused to participate in."

In a statement earlier Friday afternoon, Rodriguez said that "Chief Crowley remains the most qualified member of the Los Angeles City Fire Department that earned her well deserved appointment as Fire Chief."

Rodriguez said she plans to use her authority as a councilmember to "set the record straight and encourage Chief Crowley to appeal the Mayor's baseless termination to the City Council."

In order for that to happen, Crowley will first need to request an appeal for the city council to overturn the mayor's dismissal. She then would need 10 votes from city councilmembers.

Rodriguez said she spoke to Crowley Friday morning and they talked about the work Crowley was doing with testing the hydrants, but they have not spoken since the firing.

"it's infuriating to me that she would be made the scapegoat in all of this because I've known nothing but Chief Crowley to be the consummate professional when it comes to the fire service and I'm just incredibly outraged and disappointed."

Watch Eyewitness News' full interview with councilmember Rodriguez in the video above.