Interview With Orange County Fire Authority Chief Keith Richter

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Fire Chief Keith Richter took the helm of the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) in August of 2009, becoming the leader of one California's largest fire departments.  Richter began his career as a firefighter in the City of Tucson in 1977 and served as Fire Chief in California's Contra Costa County for eleven years before coming to the OCFA.  While there he expanded the county's paramedic program, replaced obsolete equipment and improved the fire department's facilities.

Richter is the first Fire Chief hired by the OCFA from outside the fire department.  Coming into the agency he gladly took on the challenge of learning about all of the cities the Fire Authority serves and meeting all of the department's 1200 employees.  Richter says, "I made a goal for myself in the first hundred days to visit all 62 of our fire stations and also to attend all 23 of our City Council and Board of Supervisors meetings so that I can introduce myself to the elected officials as well.  I'm spending a lot of time trying to meet the staff and go out to the fire stations and let them see me and know me a little bit."  He also says he is a "hand's on" fire chief, and enjoys being out in the field learning and interacting with his firefighters.

As with many other fire departments across the country, the Orange County Fire Authority has had to make some cuts due to the national economic downturn.  Fortunately, because the Orange County Fire Authority's budget is heavily based on property taxes, which have stayed stable in comparison to other California counties, the department has only had to cut one wildfire hand crew and does not foresee the need to cut regular service at any of their fire stations. 

To make up for the hand crew that was cut from this year's budget, the Orange County Fire Authority will use mutual aid or assemble a hand crew on an as-needed basis.  During this year's wildfire season, the department pre-positioned extra fire crews and equipment on red-flag warning days.  Richter explains, "We got our normal crews in the fire stations throughout the county.  We also have five additional crews that are not normally staffed that we put on duty just for the days where we have severe fire weather."

Even though the Orange County Fire Authority is in a good financial position relative to other fire departments, Richter and his staff are staying proactive with regards to the budget.  He explains, "We're keeping our fingers crossed that the recession will start on an upward trend and the bleeding with stop, but we're trying to keep an eye on where we are on a monthly basis and making adjustments as necessary."


Author:Barbara Brooks - FDNNTV.com