Firefighters, like my husband, are selfless individuals who willing sacrifice their own safety and lives, work strenuous hours, and endure long periods away from their homes and families to keep us safe. Recently, a controversial video has resurfaced of LAFD Deputy Chief Kristine Larson of the Equity and Human Resources Bureau. For those of you who think or were told this video is a “conspiracy,” meme, joke l, etc., I can assure you, it was most certainly was not. 

Larson, arrogantly assuming she was giving a “mic drop” moment, discussed women in the fire service and those who may question their ability to do the job (specifically if women can carry men out of a fire). Her response? “He got himself in the wrong place, if I have to carry him out of a fire.” Deputy Chief Larson, you managed, with one statement, to single-handedly spit in the faces of all those who serve and have served in fire service, those who lost their lives in the line of duty, and their families.

Larson went on to make additional statements expressing it is imperative to have a “diverse” fire department (with use of the DEI agenda) because the community wants to see someone that “looks like them.”

When the firefighters of FDNY went into their station on September 11th, 2001, they didn’t do so with the idea they wouldn’t be coming home. Firefighters know they are putting themselves in danger, yet DO IT ANYWAY. They risked their lives WITHOUT hesitation or victim blaming/shaming like the recent video of Larson demonstrated.  

As the towers collapsed, I can guarantee with 100% certainty, not one victim of 9/11 declined help when approached by a first responder because they “didn’t look like them,” nor did any of the first responders insult victims by making comments insinuating they were somehow at fault because they were trapped in the towers when the planes hit. 

Larson disrespects the Code of Ethics for Firefighters (15 principles outlining the commitment required, by each individual firefighter, to operate with the highest level of professionalism) and the oath firefighters formally and solemnly swear by. Her condescending and callous statements exemplify her disdain and apathy toward the community she is supposed to be protecting and serving. It is becoming devastatingly clear she was hired as a political mouthpiece pushing an agenda without any concern for the safety of communities, people, and victims of tragedy.

Larson and her DEI agenda are a selfish maneuver which places the community and those who serve it in jeopardy. Larson believes, which is made clear in her videos the importance of hiring people by what they look like takes precedent over skill, integrity, safety, and ability in the fire service.

Race, how an individual identifies, or their sexual preferences are of very little concern if a potential candidate is able to perform the duties the job requires of them.
If ANY individual, is able to display the competency and physical prowess that being a firefighter requires, they absolutely deserve to be hired. However, when hiring potential firefighters is done by lowering the requirements and standards for these positions in the name of “diversity,” it demonstrates that those who oversee the city do not prioritize the safety and lives of those who would call on them for help and instead prefer the checking of “politically correct” boxes. 
Furthermore, when utilizing a system, such as DEI, to allegedly “prevent unfair hiring practices” (as a reminder there are already laws in place to protect ALL people from unfair hiring practices) it reveals how hypocritical the DEI agenda truly is; “because we feel and are told we are marginalized, the only solution is to then marginalize others.” How ridiculous is this notion? To prevent discrimination, we must discriminate others? 

There have been numerous concerns about her leadership, effectiveness, and morale. The negative impact Larson has on the city of LA and LA fire departments, which are essential to the safety of our communities, cannot and should not be overlooked. We cannot stand by and let the department that we rely on and the heroes who risk their live be led by an individual who lacks integrity, belittles her community, prioritizes hiring based on race, religion, sexual preferences, and gender identity, doesn’t protect her fellow firefighter and demonstrates a lack of moral character and integrity. 

In the last week, the world has been watching the wildfires wreak havoc and devastation in Los Angeles. Firefighters from across the country are coming to the aid of California and banding together as one to protect us. However, Deputy Chief Kristine Larson is not interested in uniting our firefighters and instead is implementing unfair hiring practices that will cause divide amongst its heros.

It is because of the fire departments dedication and heroism that this issue holds special significance for all of us. We call for the resignation of the Los Angeles Fire Department Deputy Chief Kristine Larson, whose actions and leadership, we believe, undermine the integrity and sacrifice of our brave first responders.

Enough is enough. This petition calls for the immediate dismissal of LAFD Deputy Chief Kristine Larson. The safety of our community — your community — is too important. We deserve better, our firefighters deserve better. Please join us in calling for this change by signing this petition today. Stand with us for the safety of our community and for the reputation of those risking their lives to protect it.