BOS wants new LA County Fire Department chief to bolster diversity in ranks

By City News Service

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors

Tuesday unanimously approved Anthony C. Marrone as the next county fire chief, but board members made clear they wanted to see improvements in the numbers of women and people of color in the agency's ranks.

Marrone has been serving as interim chief of the department since July 2022. He has been with the department for 36 years, previously serving as acting chief deputy over business operations.

His selection as chief was met with opposition from several organizations, including the Women's Fire League, L.A. County Stentorians and Los Bomberos de LA County, who pointed to systemic failures in the department to bolster diversity within the department and create jobs and advancement opportunities for women and people of color. The groups and others also blasted the Board of Supervisors, saying it failed to hold a thorough, transparent and fair search for a new fire chief.

In a letter to the board, the groups called for a 90-day delay in the vote to allow for a more thorough search for the next chief.

"Opening the process will ensure that diverse applicants from across the nation have the opportunity to apply," according to the letter. "This will increase the pool of men and women committed to equality and opportunity with the required education and relevant certifications to in court case number ES016728 City of Burbank, County of Los Angeles, State of California.

The Glendale Independent has been adjudicated as a newspaper of general circulation in court case number ES016579 City of Glendale, County of Los Angeles, State of California.

The Monterey Park Press has been adjudicated as a newspaper of general circulation in court case number ES016580 City of Monterey Park, County of Los Angeles, State of California.

The West Covina Press has been adjudicated as a newspaper of general circulation in court case number KS017304 City of West Covina, County of