Los Angeles reduced its fire department budget by $17.6 million (2%) for the 2024-25 fiscal year, while increasing the LAPD’s budget by $126 million. This decision has drawn criticism amid devastating wildfires, with concerns that the cuts hindered emergency preparedness and response capabilities[1][2][9]. Mayor Karen Bass defended the budget, citing firefighter raises and equipment investments, but critics argue the reductions impacted core operations like training and brush clearance[1][8]. The LAPD now receives 15% of the city’s budget, compared to 6% for the fire department[2].

Citations: [1] A month before fires, L.A. fire chief warned budget cuts were hampering emergency response https://www.cbsnews.com/news/california-wildfires-los-angeles-fire-chief-budget-cuts/ [2] LA Budgeted Money For Cop Jobs While Cutting Fire Department Positions. Now the City Is Burning. https://theintercept.com/2025/01/08/la-police-budget-palisades-fires/ [3] Los Angeles mayor slashed fire budget last year, prioritized homeless population https://www.foxbusiness.com/politics/los-angeles-mayor-slashed-fire-budget-prioritized-homeless [4] LAPD Budget Approved: $2.14 Billion Spending Plan for 2025-26 https://svanc.com/2024/11/27/lapd-budget-approved-2-14-billion-spending-plan-for-2025-26/ [5] Los Angeles cut $17.5M from fire department budget months before deadly fires https://abc11.com/post/los-angeles-cut-175m-fire-department-budget-months-before-palisades-signed-mayor-karen-bass/15782731/ [6] A Closer Look at Mayor Bass and the Budget Cuts to the L.A. Fire Department https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/09/us/la-fire-department-budget-bass.html [7] Los Angeles cut $17.5M from fire department budget months before … https://6abc.com/post/los-angeles-cut-175m-fire-department-budget-months-before-palisades-signed-mayor-karen-bass/15782731/ [8] Did Mayor Karen Bass really cut the fire department budget? The answer gets tricky https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-01-10/how-much-did-the-l-a-fire-department-really-cut-its-budget [9] Yes, Los Angeles cut $17.6 million from the fire department’s budget https://www.krem.com/article/news/verify/money-verify/yes-los-angeles-cut-176-million-from-the-lafd-fire-departments-budget/536-4b902910-08f5-42d5-bc5e-bdfad1cb0560 [10] Los Angeles Fire Chief: City Failed Residents with Fire Department … https://www.nationalreview.com/news/los-angeles-fire-chief-city-failed-residents-with-fire-department-budget-cuts/ [11] Los Angeles Democrats Cut Fire Department Funding while … https://www.leftvoice.org/los-angeles-democrats-cut-fire-department-funding-while-boosting-police-budgets/