Orange County Gets a New Fire Chief -- on Interim Basis

The Orange County Fire Authority’s Board of Directors has appointed Jeff Bowman as the agency’s interim fire chief, it was reported today.

Bowman will begin his duties on Sept. 2. He is filling the spot vacated by Keith Richter, who retired this week as the OCFA’s chief.

Bowman has more than 34 years of fire service experience, including 16 years as fire chief for the city of Anaheim, and four years as fire chief for the city of San Diego.

He was appointed unanimously on Thursday night by the OCFA’s board of directors to serve as the agency’s interim chief. The search process for a permanent chief is expected to take until December, OCFA Battalion Chief Mike Petro said.

Chief Bowman also served as the interim chief for the Oceanside Fire Department and worked as a consultant providing recommendations for fire department improvements in the United States and Canada. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in organizational behavior from the University of San Francisco and Associate’s degrees in both fire technology and paramedic science from Santa Ana College, according to a press release from the Orange County Fire Authority.

--City News Service

PHOTO Courtesy Orange County Fire Authority.