Oakland didn't go far in appointing a new fire chief. Daniel Farrell, 54, who has been serving as Oakland's interim fire chief since September, was asked this week to head the department permanently.
"I'm overjoyed and super-elated," Farrell said. "I don't think there are any shoo-ins anymore."
Farrell has 24 years of experience working with the Oakland Fire Department as a firefighter and later as a lieutenant, captain, battalion chief, and most recently, as deputy chief of field operations. He took up the reins five months ago when then-chief Gerald Simon announced his retirement.
"I found we had the best candidate right here," city administrator Deborah Edgerly wrote in a press release. "I was proud to recommend him."
The chief is responsible for the city's 25 fire stations as well as fire protection, suppression and prevention, paramedic services, firefighter training, and mutual aid for other cities in need.
Since taking on his new post, Farrell said he's taken a good look at the various fire divisions to figure out how to run them more efficiently -- particularly the fire prevention bureau.
Reorganization of that division should allow for an increase in response to fee-based services, such as inspections, which will also bring in more money for the department, Farrell said.
"That way we can give the city a bigger bang for their buck," the chief said.
In fact, Farrell's two top goals are to increase fire prevention awareness and the department's annual revenue.
He said, under his direction, that the fire department has been able to take advantage of almost $2 million in grants.
Farrell holds a fire service instructors credential and is a state certified fire officer. He holds a degree in business administration and has been certified as a graduate of the executive leadership institute of the National Forum for Black Public Administrators.
Farrell said he's "very fortunate to have the support of the rank and file across the board (as well as) the local labor union. That means better levels of service for the citizens."
