Elon Musk - Did DEI Impact LA’s Wildfire Response?
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Hey, everybody. Welcome back to the Elon Musk Podcast. This is a show where we discuss the critical crossroads that shape SpaceX, Tesla, X, The Boring Company, and Neuralink. 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 initiatives 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 filling 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 gained 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 Carolla, who testified before Congress in 2017 that he was denied a firefighting job in L.A. in the 80s for not being, quote, black, Hispanic, or a woman.

Now, Carolla's anecdote predated both Crowley's tenure in the formation of the DEI Bureau by decades, rendering it irrelevant to current L.A. Fire Department practices. L.A. debate even spilled into televised political discussions. And during a CNN segment, Jasmine Crockett, representative Democrat for Texas, pushed back against conservative commentator Scott Jennings, who criticized the L.A. Fire Department's diversity efforts.

Crockett expressed frustration over the persistent blame placed on DEI. She said, 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 Service that her first priority would be strengthening communication with her command staff.

The LA Fire Department's 2023 to 2026 strategic plan listed the department's primary goals as maintaining operational readiness, enhancing firefighter safety and well-being, and improving workplace conditions while promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion.

And that's another goal, and it ranks third 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

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Chair Janice Hahn described the measures as a roadmap 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 a DEI committee to guide hiring practices, and conducting diversity surveys and exit interviews. Now, if you're on a podcast platform that allows you to comment, I would strongly recommend

I 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 complementary to, not substitutes for, the department's primary mission of firefighting and emergency response.

So, no, some social media posts labeled Crowley a DEI hire, implying she was appointed solely based on her identity rather than her qualifications. However, Crowley's extensive career with the LAFD spans 22 years, during which she held roles as firefighter, 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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