Costa Mesa names interim fire chief

Costa Mesa has hired former Vernon Fire Chief Steven Parker to head the city’s fire department for the time being, officials said Monday.

City Manager Allan Roeder named Parker interim fire chief, replacing Chief Jim Ellis, who has been on medical leave since June.

Parker, who holds a master’s degree in public administration from Cal State Long Beach and a bachelor’s degree from the UC Irvine, has more than 31 years of firefighting experience, according to a news release.

He retired from his post in Vernon four years ago. Before joining that department, he worked for many years in various positions at the Huntington Beach Fire Department. Parker began his career in Buena Park in 1974 where he worked for three years.

Costa Mesa Firefighters Assn. representatives said they were disappointed at having no input in the selection of an interim fire chief, which they learned through an e-mail from Roeder late Monday.

“The city manager notified the fire association late this afternoon. We had no input into the decision,” association president Jeff Janzen said. “If there is anything to be said, we were disappointed.”

Janzen said Roeder never promised the association would give input, but they got a sense from Roeder that they would be asked for their input.

When Costa Mesa Fire Capt. Mike Hastert was asked about the new interim fire chief, he said neither he or other fire staff knew much about him.

“The city manager has made a decision on his own with no input from the fire association,” Hastert said. “We’re in the dark. We’re making phone calls to Huntington Beach trying to find out about him.”

Roeder said he appreciated the fire association’s concerns.

“At no time were promises or commitments made to the association in terms of consulting or interviewing candidate for the interim chief,” Roeder said. “On many occasions, the association communicated to myself, to the council and other members of management, about the qualities they want in a fire chief and what they look for in a fire chief. And I kept those elements in mind when I interviewed prospective candidates.”

Roeder said he “wanted to get someone in as soon as possible to provide leadership to the department” without short-cutting the recruitment process. He said he received “very positive reports” about Parker from fire associations in Vernon and Huntington Beach.

“This is an interim appointment only,” Roeder said. “We do not know how short or how long it will be, and that will largely depend on Chief Ellis’ medical condition.”

In spite of their disappointment, Janzen said he is looking forward to meeting Parker.

“We are looking forward to working with Steven Parker, and we are hopeful that he will do a wonderful job for the fire department and the citizens of Costa Mesa,” Janzen said.