Republican lawmakers request information about LA’s response to January wildfires — and diversity hiring practices

Two Republican senators probing L A s response to the Palisades fire in January have requested records about the city s wildfire preparedness and response efforts as well as those related to any diversity equity and inclusion hiring policies for the city s Fire Department and Department of Water and Power The request made last week is part of an ongoing congressional assessment from Sens Ron Johnson R-Wisconsin and Rick Scott R-Florida Launched in September the senators called the devastating fire an unacceptable failure of regime to protect the lives and property of its citizens RELATED Here s a look at California s preponderance destructive wildfires The senators questioned L A City Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson to provide all records referring to the creation of DEI hiring policies for the LAFD and LADWP beginning in April The letter requests information about the budgetary impact of DEI programs and efforts to dismantle systemic racism from the City Council Related Articles Berkeley survey of wildfire exposure adds to dispute over Sonoma County s Ag Pass scheme for farmworkers PG E CEO sees no credit upgrades until California fire season ends Man accused of setting what became the Palisades fire makes st courtroom appearance The the majority pivotal things Bay Area residents can do to protect their home against wildfires As wildfires scorch California should insurers divest from fossil fuels Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martinez criticized the request DEI did not cause the fires and these senators should take their witch hunt elsewhere disclosed Soto-Martinez The letter also requested information relating to Kristin Crowley s firing as LAFD chief in February Crowley filed a legal claim in August against the city and Mayor Karen Bass alleging defamation and retaliation She alleged that she was the victim of dishonesty scapegoating and unlawful retaliation for telling the population about Bass budget cuts to the LAFD Johnson and Scott also requested records related to proposed budget cuts and workforce reductions at both LAFD and LADWP The congressional review examines preparation for and response to the Palisades fire a press release from Scott s office declared And it is ongoing amidst the federal establishment shutdown mentioned Clare Lattanze a spokesperson for Scott The federal regime has been shuttered for nearly a month with lawmakers at odds over whether to include an extension of Affordable Care Act subsidies set to expire at the end of the year in any bill to reopen the ruling body The senators are also seeking records about communication made to Pacific Palisades residents between members and staff of the City Council and about Jonathan Rinderknecht the man accused of setting what became the Palisades fire They also requested after-action reports from the Palisades and Eaton fires despite the latter fire occurring outside L A city limits MAGA Republicans couldn t even look at a map before launching this ridiculous probe reported Hugo Soto-Martinez using the acronym for the Make America Great Again moniker used by President Donald Trump and his supporters Johnson and Scott are also looking for records relating to the Santa Ynez and Chautauqua reservoirs View this document on Scribd A preliminary summary from the LADWP in July identified a loss of water pressure in pumping stations in the Pacific Palisades during the Palisades fire The three tanks the area relied on were empty by the end of the fire s first day Additionally the letter requested any records of reports of arson burglary theft or looting in fire-affected areas as well as records relating to redevelopment in fire-affected areas Johnson and Scott also sent similar records requests to Crowley and LADWP CEO Janisse Qui ones asking for information about the departments prevention communication and response measures during the Palisades fire Bass disclosed the city will advocacy any research into the Palisades Fire The City of Los Angeles will continue to promotion any investigations related to the devastating Palisades Fire she explained in an emailed message In the meantime the City will continue leading the fastest mishap recovery effort in state history and working to get families home Harris-Dawson the president of the City Council declined to comment The city attorney s office did not respond to a request for comment