LAFD Statement from Fire Chief Brian L. Cummings: I will retire from the Los Angeles Fire Department.

LOS ANGELES - We would like to share with you a statement from Fire Chief Brian L. Cummings:
 

"Effective November 1, 2013 the Mayor will be appointing an Interim Fire Chief. 

Following a period of transition, I will retire from the Los Angeles Fire Department. 

Serving those who, live, work and play in Los Angeles is an extremely rewarding experience. It is a profound honor to work with and lead you incredible men and women of the LAFD. 

Every day, responding to over 1,100 calls for service, you make a positive difference in the lives of so many Angelenos  LAFD employees and volunteers have risen to the multiple challenges of increased workload, decreased funding, staff reductions, fewer apparatus and aging equipment.

 All the while, you continue to provide world class public safety, save lives and protect property. I could not be more proud of what you accomplish each day.

I remain committed to the on-going success of this great Department. I will retire confident that Los Angeles’ strong support of Public Safety and the Los Angeles Fire Department will afford the continued provision of service befitting the City of Angels. Be well and be safe." - LAFD Fire Chief Brian L. Cummings

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CFN - California Fire News 2013 

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Fresno Fire Department Chief Rob Brown Resigns Following Arrest, City Begins National Search For New Chief. #CaFire

Fresno Fire Chief Rob Brown is shown with his arm around his wife Beth during his arraignment hearing in a Fresno County courtroom for his domestic violence case Thursday, June 27, 2013 in Fresno, Calif.

GARY KAZANJIAN — THE FRESNO BEE

Read more here: http://www.fresnobee.com/2013/08/06/3427105/fresno-fire-chief-rob-brown-resigns.html#storylink=cpy

Fresno Fire Chief Rob Brown, facing domestic violence charges, resigns

Read more here: http://www.fresnobee.com/2013/08/06/3427105/fresno-fire-chief-rob-brown-resigns.html#storylink=cpy

Rob Brown on Tuesday resigned as Fresno’s fire chief, just over a year into the job and nearly two months after he was arrested in a domestic violence incident that has him facing criminal charges.

Brown’s fate had been hanging over the heads of top city officials since he was arrested by Fresno County sheriff’s deputies on June 12. He had been on paid administrative leave since June 13.

Brown leaves city employment after barely a year on the job with a tepid farewell from City Manager Bruce Rudd.

“I have accepted Rob Brown’s resignation as City of Fresno’s Fire Chief,” Rudd said in a written statement. “I want to thank him for his service to the City and the contributions that he made to the Fire Department. I wish him all the best in his future endeavors.”

Rudd said the city will begin a national search for a new chief. Deputy Fire Chief Kerri Donis will continue as interim fire chief.

Brown’s annual salary was $155,592 — nearly $3,000 a week. He had been on paid administrative leave since June 13 — almost eight weeks

City officials said Brown did not get a severance package connected to his resignation. Beth Brown, his wife, remains Fresno’s emergency manager.

Marshall Hodgkins, Brown’s lawyer, said his client would make no public comment. Hodgkins said the June incident affected Brown’s health, though Hodgkins gave no details.

“In the interest of the fire department and a desire to move on, he made the decision to resign,” Hodgkins said

Hodgkins said he and Brown discussed the issue before Brown decided to resign. Hodgkins said it’s too early to discuss Brown’s career plans.

Brown is charged with five felonies as well as a misdemeanor count of obstructing law enforcement. He has pleaded not guilty and is free on $50,000 bail.

Brown leaves city employment after barely a year on the job with a tepid farewell from City Manager Bruce Rudd.

“I have accepted Rob Brown’s resignation as city of Fresno’s fire chief,” Rudd said in a written statement. “I want to thank him for his service to the city and the contributions that he made to the Fire Department. I wish him all the best in his future endeavors.”

Rudd said a national search for a new chief will begin. Deputy Fire Chief Kerri Donis will continue as interim fire chief.

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