LA Fire Chief Kristin Crowley appointed to Homeland Security Advisory Council

Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Kristin Crowley has been tapped as the newest member of the Department of Homeland Security’s Advisory Council, the federal agency announced today.

The decision to appoint the 22-year LAFD veteran comes in light of an “increased focus on the increasing proliferation of fire as a threat to community safety and security,” according to a Homeland Security statement.

Crowley is slated to be sworn in at the next HSAC meeting, on Sept. 14.

“Chief Crowley is well-versed in the dual challenges firefighters face as first responders and as a critical line of defense in responding to extreme weather events like wildfires,” Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas said in a statement.

“DHS will benefit tremendously from her experience, as well as her professionalism and dedication to the workforce, which are vital to safeguarding communities across our country. I am honored to appoint Chief Crowley to the Homeland Security Advisory Council.”

Crowley will become the second fire chief to sit on the HSAC.

Through the U.S. Fire Administration, DHS supports first responders across the country. This year, DHS provided $684 million to fire departments through the Staffing for Adequate Fire Emergency Response, or SAFER, grant program, and the Assistance to Firefighters grant program.

Those funds are used to hire, maintain, equip and train front-line personnel.

The HSAC was established in 2003 under the Federal Advisory Committee Act, which governs the establishment and operation of committees that provide advice to federal agencies.