The Los Angeles City Council on Friday unanimously confirmed Jaime Moore as the city’s next fire chief, placing him at the helm of a department during scrutiny over its handling of January’s wildfires.
After the council vote, Mayor Karen Bass formally swore Moore in as the city’s fire chief.
Moore, a 30-year veteran of the Los Angeles Fire Department, is the second Latino to lead the LAFD and the first Spanish-speaking chief in its history. He joined the department in 1995 and most recently served as the deputy chief of the Operations Valley Bureau, overseeing one of the agency’s largest regional divisions.
He steps into the role as the department faces overlapping investigations into the deadly Palisades fire and new revelations about the Jan. 1 Lachman fire, which firefighters say was left smoldering days before it reignited into the Palisades blaze. Moore’s appointment follows months of turmoil, including Bass’ firing former LAFD Chief Kristin Crowley, who accused City Hall of underfunding the department and mishandling wildfire preparedness.
Sitting in the packed City Council chamber that included his family members, friends, firefighters and community members, Moore presented his vision, emphasizing transparency, accountability and the need to restore public trust.
“Growing up in Los Angeles shaped who I am in every way,” Moore said. “It grounded my values. It strengthened my empathy, and taught me the importance of servicing others with both courage and compassion.”
Moore spoke about working in his family’s five Los Angeles restaurants, which taught him that “hard work matters, that people matter, and that real service comes from the heart.”
He outlined priorities that included improving morale, strengthening disaster readiness, ensuring firefighters have the staffing and resources they need, preparing for the 2026 World Cup and 2028 Olympics, modernizing equipment and technology, and deepening community engagement.
But the most closely watched of Moore’s remarks centered on the LAFD’s handling of the January blazes, and the public loss of confidence that followed.
“I recognize that we are at a crossroads, not only for our department, but for public trust,” he said. “The media attention following the January wildfires has raised real concerns, both within our ranks and across our city. I understand these concerns. I believe that addressing them openly and honestly is essential for restoring confidence in our leadership.”
Moore pledged support for Bass’ call for a full investigation into the Jan. 1 Lachman fire, which has become the focus of scrutiny after the L.A. Times’ reports showed that firefighters were ordered to leave despite warnings that the ground at the Lachman fire remained too hot.
“Transparency and accountability are not just expectations. They are obligations,” he said. “We owe it to our members. We owe it to the people we serve.”
Critics of the Bass administration have pushed for an outside review, arguing the department should not investigate itself. Moore told the City Council’s Public Safety Committee on Wednesday that one of his first actions as chief would be to bring in an outside entity to review the fire department’s response to the Lachman fire.
Councilmembers praised Moore’s experience while noting the significant challenges he will face.
Public Safety Committee Chair John Lee said Moore’s confirmation “ensures that the LAFD will continue under the guidance of a seasoned leader with a proven commitment to public safety.”
Councilmember Monica Rodriguez, who has been openly critical of Crowley’s removal and the political fallout surrounding it, urged Moore to “speak truth to power” and ensure “no one gets thrown under the bus” for raising concerns within the department.
Councilmember Traci Park, whose district bore the brunt of the Palisades fire, said Moore had responded transparently during committee questioning earlier this week.
“You didn’t shy away from my questions,” she said. “We need your leadership, and we are all counting on you to speak truth to power, to rebuild that trust and to modernize a fire service that has been left dangerously behind the times. “
Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez highlighted the strain on firefighters and paramedics in high-call-volume areas, warning that “we are beyond the straw that broke the camel’s back.”
Moore responded that he intends to expand alternative response models — including unarmed crisis teams for behavioral health calls — to relieve pressure on front-line crews.
Bass, in a statement after the vote, called Moore’s confirmation “an important and inspiring moment for Los Angeles and for our Fire Department,” saying he brings “a deep commitment to the people of Los Angeles” and will play a key role as the city moves forward with a series of reforms prompted by January’s fires.
Mihran Kalaydjian, president of the Winnetka Neighborhood Council, said after the vote that San Fernando Valley residents are encouraged by Moore’s selection.
“I’m delighted and grateful that we have someone from the Valley appointed for this position,” he said. “He always works with the community. And he’s been very successful in building a bridge and finding solutions. That’s exactly what has been missing in this role.”
Moore replaces former Chief Kristin Crowley, who was fired by Bass in February after weeks of public tension over staffing, weather warnings and budget constraints. Crowley later alleged retaliation and filed a damages claim against the city.
Bass then appointed retired Chief Deputy Ronnie Villanueva to serve as interim chief while the search for a permanent replacement moved forward.
The leadership shakeup, followed by the Palisades and Eaton fires, sparked months of political friction and a widening federal probe.
Moore’s confirmation comes as the department continues reviewing 42 lessons and recommendations from its after-action report on the Palisades fire; Moore said 13 remain unfinished and pledged to personally ensure each is “revisited, evaluated and acted upon.”
“Accountability begins with following through,” he said. “That responsibility rests with me.”