The board of directors of the Moraga-Orinda Fire District unanimously approved the appointment of division chief Stephen Healy as interim fire chief at a special meeting July 15. The board also took another step toward a joint fire station.
Healy replaces Randall Bradley who left for a position with the Modesto Regional Fire Authority. An MOFD division chief since 2006, Healy was in charge of district operations, including the fire and emergency medical staffs plus all of the emergency apparatus. He worked previously at the Salinas Fire District for 15 years, as a firefighter-paramedic and as a fire captain.
Despite a spellbinding oration by director Fred Weil opposing the action, the board approved a joint powers agreement with the city of Lafayette to purchase the property at 1035 Lorinda Lane to be used as a possible fire station 46. “We don’t need 46 to better serve our district. And look,” said Weil, as he motioned toward the two dozen audience members, most of whom spoke vehemently against the station 46 proposal, “This issue is becoming divisive in our community.”
The board also voted to hold a special meeting July 22 to interview three candidates who applied for the district’s vacant board seat. Again, the lone dissenting vote was cast by Weil. He insisted that the only proper, democratic way to fill the vacant board seat was via a special election. Otherwise, he said, “three Orinda residents could be making a decision on who represents the residents of Moraga’s Division 1.”
Healy replaces Randall Bradley who left for a position with the Modesto Regional Fire Authority. An MOFD division chief since 2006, Healy was in charge of district operations, including the fire and emergency medical staffs plus all of the emergency apparatus. He worked previously at the Salinas Fire District for 15 years, as a firefighter-paramedic and as a fire captain.
Despite a spellbinding oration by director Fred Weil opposing the action, the board approved a joint powers agreement with the city of Lafayette to purchase the property at 1035 Lorinda Lane to be used as a possible fire station 46. “We don’t need 46 to better serve our district. And look,” said Weil, as he motioned toward the two dozen audience members, most of whom spoke vehemently against the station 46 proposal, “This issue is becoming divisive in our community.”
The board also voted to hold a special meeting July 22 to interview three candidates who applied for the district’s vacant board seat. Again, the lone dissenting vote was cast by Weil. He insisted that the only proper, democratic way to fill the vacant board seat was via a special election. Otherwise, he said, “three Orinda residents could be making a decision on who represents the residents of Moraga’s Division 1.”
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA