Hey. Everybody, welcome back to the
Elon Musk Podcast. This is a show where we discuss.
The Critical. Crossroads the shape SpaceX
Tesla X. The Boring Company and
Neurolink. I'm your.
Host Will Walden What do Elon Musk, raging wildfires, and the
LA Fire Department hiring policies have in common?
Well, this is a question that's been sparking debate across
social media, as critics like Musk blame the city's diversity,
equity and inclusion, or DEI, efforts for a perceived decline
in firefighting efficiency. But is there evidence linking
these initiatives to the spread of the flames, or is it all just
social media speculation? As wildfires swept through Los
Angeles, Elon Musk and hedge fund manager Bill Ackman took to
social media, particularly X, to criticize LA Fire Department's
DEI efforts. Musk amplified claims tying the
department's focus on diversity to a failure to prevent and
control fires, sharing a post that read DEI means people D
i.e. However, neither Musk nor Ackman
presented evidence directly connecting DEI.
She gave us to the fire department's operational
capacity now. The controversy also spotlighted
LA Fire Department Chief Kristen Crowley, who became the fire
department's first female and LGBTQ leader when she was sworn
in in 2022, and that same year, the department established a
dedicated DEI Bureau. Critics have questions whether
these developments contributed to wildfire challenges, though
no direct link between Crowley's relationship of leadership or
DEI efforts and the severity of the wildfires has been
established now. On her podcast, Megyn Kelly
harshly criticized Crowley, claiming she prioritized
diversity efforts over operational firefighting
measures. She said she has made not
feeling the fire hydrants top priority, but diversity.
Kelly said in a now viral clip that Musk and Ackman shared.
However, multiple reports clarify that responsibility for
maintaining water supplies, including fire hydrants, falls
to the city's Department of Water and Power, not the fire
department. Actually Now, the right wing
social media account Libs of TikTok also targeted Crowley,
posting content about her participation in LGBTQ pride
events and criticizing her leadership.
Now, these posts gain millions of views.
Further fueling the criticism, Libs of TikTok, which has faced
prior suspensions for accusations of hate speech,
asserted that their posts were factual despite the platform's
policy violations. Now, commenters like Matt Walsh
echoed similar sentiments, claiming the LAFD deliberately
excluded white men from firefighting roles.
Walsh offered no evidence to support his But though the fire
department has indeed voiced a commitment to hiring and
retaining a more diverse workforce now, some social media
users pointed to a decades old claim by radio host Adam
Corolla, who testified before Congress in 2017, that he was
denied a firefighting job in LA in the 80s for not being, quote,
black, Hispanic or a woman. Now, Corolla's anecdote predated
both Crowley's tenure and the formation of the DEI Bureau by
decades, rendering it irrelevant to current LA Fire Department
practices. LA debate even spilled into
televised political discussions. And during ACNN segment, Jasmine
Crockett, representative Democrat for Texas, pushed back
against conservative commentator Scott Jennings, who criticized
the LA Fire Department's diversity efforts.
Crockett expressed frustration over the persistent blame placed
on DEI, she said. I am so tired of people acting
as if white men are the only ones capable.
CNN anchor Abby Phillip pressed Jennings further, questioning
the connection between DEI and the department's ongoing battle
with what was described as a historic fire.
Now, despite the criticisms, there's no indication that
Crowley neglected fire prevention efforts in favor of
diversity initiatives. Upon her appointment, Crowley
told the LA City News, Science or Service that her first
priority would be strengthening communication with her command
staff. The LA Fire Department's 2023 to
2026 Strategic Plan listed department's primary goals as
maintaining operational readiness, enhancing firefighter
safety and well-being in improving workplace conditions
while promoting diversity, equity and inclusion.
And that's another goal, and it ranks 3rd on the list now.
Crowley emphasized the importance of emergency
response, stating her commitment to delivering exceptional public
safety and emergency services. The department's focus also
includes leveraging technological advancements and
fostering collaboration. Now, in March of 2023, the LA
County Board of Supervisors approved policies aimed at
increasing workforce diversity at the LAFD.
Chair Janice Hahn described the measures as a road map for how
we are going to hire more women and people of color.
And these policies included adopting an entrance exam
grounded in equity research, forming ADEI committee to guide
hiring practices in conducting diversity surveys and accident
reviews. Now, if you're on a podcast
platform that allows you to comment, I would strongly urge
you to let me know what you think about this and also share
this episode so you can get other people's opinions on this
because it's important that we have this discussion now.
According to the department's strategic plan, though,
Crowley's diversity goals include providing DEI training
to employees, expanding recruitment in underserved
communities, and offering test preparation workshops.
However, these initiatives were framed as complimentary to, not
substitutes for the department's primary mission of firefighting
and emergency response. So no, some social media posts
labeled Crowley ADEI hire, implying she was appointed
solely based on her identity rather than our qualifications.
Over. Crowley's extensive career with
the LAFD spans 22 years, during which she held roles as
firefighter, paramedic or firefighter, a paramedic, fire
inspector, captain and deputy chief before becoming the
department's leader. Now, critics remain divided
whether DEI efforts have a place in public safety, and supporters
argue that fostering a more inclusive workforce enhances
morale and community engagement. Opponents, particularly in the
context of high stakes emergency services, question whether such
initiatives detract from operational priorities.
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