Glendale Fire Chief Christopher Gray retires*
Catching up on the local news now having been on assignment this morning, and boy do we have a whopper!
I've heard this was happening from those in the know, but haven't been able to confirm it. Yes indeed, Glendale Fire Chief Chris Gray is leaving at the end of August after 21 years with the GFD, and will likely finish his career as Fire Chief in the city of San Rafael in Northern California.
But my question is this -- now that City Hall watchdog Barry Allen's nemesis has moved on, who is he going to kick around now?
*Update 6:44 p.m. -- Just caught up with Gray, who's already up north with his family to attend a City Council meeting there. His reasons for the move -- most of his family, including his children, have moved to the Bay Area, and the fire chief job held by John Montenero (also a former GFD chief) is opening up with his retirement.
"We have some special family circumstances that has required us to look closely at the future," he said. "That's the primary motivation."
Gray also said it was a "difficult" decision to leave Glendale, and only decided last Friday. "People who I have worked with for the last 21 years have been second-to-none. What won out ultimately is a decision based on family."
As for a sucessor, he'll be working with City Manager Jim Starbird to work that out in the coming month.
See the Glendale City Hall release below:
Glendale Fire Chief Christopher R. Gray, 50, has announced his retirement. Gray, Fire Chief since 2001, will leave the City at the end of August. He informed City Manager Jim Starbird that he has accepted an opportunity with the City of San Rafael, California, to serve as its new Fire Chief.Starbird says Gray’s departure will be a loss for the City. “Chris is one of the most well respected Fire Chief’s in the country,” says Starbird. “In addition, his contributions to Glendale and to the City organization go way beyond his role as Fire Chief.” Starbird hired Gray in 2001 following the retirement of Chief Richard Hinz.
Chief Gray has spent just under 30 years in Fire Service. In addition to serving as Assistant Chief, he previously held the position of Battalion Chief with Glendale from 1986 to 1992. Prior to that time, he was employed as a Fire Captain, Engineer and Fire Fighter with the City of Pasadena. During his tenure with Pasadena, he also served as president of its Firefighters Association.
Gray noted in his retirement letter that this has been a difficult decision and one that is primarily based on family related circumstances. "In my professional opinion, the Glendale Fire Department is without equal,” says Gray. “I will always be proud of the exemplary manner in which our members have, and will, continue to serve the Glendale community."
The outgoing Fire Chief lists his coordinating role with the Verdugo Dispatch Center as one of his biggest accomplishments in Glendale. Verdugo currently services 11 cities in the San Fernando and San Gabriel Valley area.
He is married to his wife of 25 years, Cynthia, who will be leaving her post with the Glendale Unified School District. Starbird has yet to name a successor.