Fire department faces leadership vacuum Fire department faces leadership vacuum (November 03, 2004)

Deputy Fire Chief Nick Marinaro, the last remaining top official, expected to be next chief

by Bill D'Agostino

Out of the four leaders of Palo Alto's Fire Department who bid farewell to former Fire Chief Rueben Grijalva in August, only one will remain next year.

The departures for reasons from retirement to new job opportunities will all occur by the year's end, leaving a vacuum in the department's leadership and a big responsibility for the next chief.

"It is a pretty significant change in a short period of time," Grijalva said.

Earlier this year, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger appointed Grijalva California's fire marshal. Deputy Fire Chief Judy Jewell retired last month, although she's still working for the department as acting fire chief until City Manager Frank Benest appoints Grijalva's replacement. And last week, Deputy Fire Chief Deby Pryor accepted a job as Berkeley's fire chief.

Many city officials assume the last remaining top official, Deputy Fire Chief Nick Marinaro, will be appointed Palo Alto's next fire chief, especially since the city manager expressed an interest in hiring an internal candidate.

Marinaro has more than 30 years experience in the fire department, working nearly all positions, from paramedic to battalion chief. A Palo Alto resident, he is also a Stanford University graduate, a Lion's Club member and a Little League coach.

"He has a commitment to the community that goes beyond the commitment to his job," Councilman Vic Ojakian said.

Assuming the Berkeley City Council approves her appointment, Pryor will leave Palo Alto later in the year. She will reportedly be the second black female fire chief in the nation.

"She's a very strong leader and an excellent manager," said Grijalva, who is hoping to be confirmed by the state Senate in January. "I'm very proud of all of them."

Both Jewell and Pryor were among the first wave of California female firefighters. Pryor was the first female firefighter hired by the City of Berkeley; Jewell started her career in the California Department of Forestry.

In an interview last year, Jewell, a Wisconsin native, recalled that during her first fire, some in her own crew made bets against her.

As a woman, Jewell said, "You usually need a fire to prove yourself. That's just the way it is; it doesn't make it right." The city manager appointed Jewell as Palo Alto's acting fire chief because she was not a candidate for the chief's job.

Although most officials said the timing of the three officials' exodus from Palo Alto was coincidental -- the confluence of once-in-a-lifetime opportunities and a long-planned retirement -- Councilman Jack Morton blamed the city's low pay.

"We do a very good job at training people and then they are more appreciated by other jurisdictions than they are here, which is really too bad," Morton said.

Tony Spitaleri, president of the Palo Alto firefighter's union, put a positive spin on the news, saying it would give other firefighters the ability to step up the ladder.

"We've got a lot of talent," Spitaleri said. "Sometimes it's sad to see people go. On the other hand, it's an opportunity to see people move up."

Staff Writer Bill D'Agostino can be e-mailed at bdagostino@paweekly.com.

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