The Los Angeles Fire Department's diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) chief, Deputy Chief Kristine Larson, has sparked outrage after comments she made in a resurfaced video appeared to blame fire victims for putting themselves in 'the wrong place.' The comments, which have gone viral, have led to fierce criticism online, with many accusing Larson of unprofessionalism and insensitivity during a time of widespread devastation.
In the 2019 video, Larson defended the fire department's DEI initiatives, emphasising the importance of diversity in hiring practices. When questioned about concerns that some female firefighters might lack the physical strength to carry a man out of a burning building, Larson dismissed the criticism, stating, 'He got himself in the wrong place if I have to carry him out of a fire.'
