By Charles Switzer
8:28am PST, Jan 10, 2025
Funds Funneled to DEI While L.A. Burns
The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) reportedly allocated substantial funds to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives in the years leading up to the
catastrophic wildfires currently devastating Los Angeles County.
These fires have rapidly consumed thousands of acres, resulting in two fatalities and the destruction of approximately 1,000 properties. Residents and critics let their frustrations out on X, with one sharing, "Sure, let's let people roast to a cinder and destroy countless lives… but as long as we stay woke in the process right? Disgrace. California is finished folks."
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Budget Breakdown: Millions for DEI Staffing
City budget documents from the 2022 to 2023 fiscal year reveal a $673,810 dollar operational request for "Equity and Inclusion Staffing."
Reports show this funding was intended for a new Human Resources Bureau to implement a strategic diversity and inclusion plan, mediate conflicts, mitigate complaints, grievances and lawsuits to foster a more positive work environment.
Conservative commentator
Ben Shapiro took aim at such policies and said, "Why are the L.A. fires so devastating? It's the effect of every bad Democratic policy happening ALL AT ONCE: environmental radicalism, budgetary incompetence, DEI.
Gavin Newsom, Karen Bass and the one-party state have brought this catastrophe on the population of my old hometown."
Recruitment Dollars Diverted to Diversity Drives
An additional operational request allocated $418,778 dollars for "Diversity in Recruitment," focusing on the targeted recruitment of women and underrepresented groups within the LAFD.
"When you see numbers like this, think of all the
fire hydrants and more that could be of use RIGHT NOW," a Facebook user pointed out.
DEI Spending Surges Amid Firefighting Shortfalls
In the 2024 to 2025 fiscal year, approved operational requests for "Equity and Inclusion Staffing" soared to $1,777,715 dollars. This budget continued funding for nine positions, including a Fire Deputy Chief and Fire Battalion Chiefs, dedicated to mediating conflicts and implementing diversity and inclusion strategies.
CNN political commentator Scott Jennings replied to such figures with, "We have DEI, we have budget cuts, and yet I'm wondering now if your house was burning down, how much do you care what color the firefighters are?"
Firefighters Struggle as Resources Run Dry
As wildfires rage, local firefighters have faced significant challenges, including waterless fire hydrants and a lack of personnel and equipment, hindering their ability to contain the blazes effectively.
Actor
James Woods kept his X profile filled with responses aimed at the politics of it all, and quipped, "It took mere hours for the ineptitude of Gavin Newsom and Karen Bass to render the Pacific Palisades a scorched wasteland. To rebuild will be a gargantuan task. The first necessary step must be to recall these two worthless political hacks."
Equipment Shipped Overseas Amid Local Crises
Compounding concerns, the report suggests that California fire departments have reportedly been donating allegedly surplus equipment to Ukraine in recent years, raising questions about resource allocation during local emergencies.
An X user roasted the City of Angels' leader for "doing anything she can to boost her own standing in politics and across the world."
