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Karen Bass Names Jaime Moore LAFD Chief to Lead Reforms After Palisades Fire

The 30-year veteran is tasked with driving reforms following the city's critical review of the Palisades response.

Overview

  • Mayor Karen Bass confirmed Friday that Deputy Chief Jaime E. Moore will lead the Los Angeles Fire Department after a nationwide search.
  • Moore most recently commanded the Valley Bureau, overseeing five battalions, 39 stations and roughly 1,000 personnel, and he previously led performance, equity and public information initiatives.
  • Bass said Moore will push a reform agenda to strengthen emergency preparedness and improve 911 responses as the department faces scrutiny over the January Palisades wildfire.
  • Federal authorities reported the Jan. 7 blaze was a re-ignition of an earlier fire, and Republican senators have opened a probe into the city's handling of the disaster.
  • Following a 70-page city report this month, the mayor ordered firefighters to stay on for an additional shift during red flag warnings, and the agency is contending with union turmoil and budget-driven cuts to certain roles and bureaus.