Deputy Chief Christine Larson
Appearances
The Matt Walsh Show
Ep. 1512 - How DEI Is Destroying L.A.'s Fire Department
The reality is you're not one of the boys, you never will be one of the boys, but you can be a good firefighter.
The Matt Walsh Show
Ep. 1512 - How DEI Is Destroying L.A.'s Fire Department
You want to see somebody that responds to your house, your emergency, whether it's a medical call or a fire call, that looks like you. It gives that person a little bit more ease, knowing that somebody might understand their situation better. You can't be it if you can't see it. And so that's why it's important for young girls to see women riding around on fire trucks. Plus, it's fun.
The Matt Walsh Show
Ep. 1512 - How DEI Is Destroying L.A.'s Fire Department
Is she strong enough to do this? Or, you couldn't carry my husband out of a fire. Which my response is, he got himself in the wrong place if I have to carry him out of a fire. I was the first African-American female promoted to the rank of battalion chief. With each promotion, more eyes come on you, more scrutiny. They want to know, does she know what she's doing? Does she keep her crew safe?
The Matt Walsh Show
Ep. 1512 - How DEI Is Destroying L.A.'s Fire Department
So I want to reach down and bring you up. And that's kind of something that stuck with me to this day. Part of that work means speaking up for those who can't. Over the last few years, LAFD has dealt with a fair share of controversy. And Larson, not afraid to sound the alarm. I chose to speak out pretty much by myself about the issues of sexism and racism within my department.
The Matt Walsh Show
Ep. 1512 - How DEI Is Destroying L.A.'s Fire Department
and the need for change. I don't think there's any question that our department is the best at fighting fires. We do it better than anybody in the world. But when it comes to the personnel side, we have some issues and they're not insurmountable, but they need to be addressed and fixed to the best of everybody's ability.