Freddy Escobar, the president of the United Firefighters of Los Angeles City, has made headlines for his criticisms surrounding management decisions, notably the firing of Fire Chief Kristin Crowley. Escobar believes this action undermines the union's unity during difficult times, such as the Palisades fire and the fallout from COVID-19. He expresses concern about the sustainability of firefighters' working conditions and insists that issues need addressing. With a long career in firefighting, Escobar prepares to retire after a final term, noting that while firefighters don’t often complain, significant systemic challenges persist.
"Management and labor, together. We were unstoppable. And [Crowley] was used as a scapegoat. We removed a big, big champion for us."
"The members in the field are doing well... You will never hear them complain; the complaining is left to me."
"What we're doing every single day is not sustainable in the field - I don't care how young you are. It's a Band-Aid that's been on for years and years. We need to fix it."
"During his tenure, L.A. firefighters have weathered some tough times: COVID, the Palisades inferno, fewer fire stations than in 1960."
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