Mountain View Fire Chief Wardle To Retire

Photos from left: Deputy Chief Diaz; Chief Wardle.

--

News from the City of Mountain View:

Fire Chief Brad Wardle, informed City Manager Dan Rich of his intention to retire, effective May 23, 2015. Wardle has been Fire Chief in Mountain View for five years and has served in the fire service for twenty-nine years, including six as chief in West Jordan, Utah.

“Brad has been an incredible Fire Chief for Mountain View and we are lucky to have had the benefit of his tremendous and multi-faceted skills. It is a loss for the department, the organization and the community, but I respect his desire to focus on his family at this point of his life, and wish him all the best,” said City Manager Rich.

“Unfortunately, I need to return home to attend to the needs of my family so, from a professional perspective, this is a bittersweet pill to swallow. This has truly been the best five years of my career in the fire services. I will forever be grateful for the relationships developed and the priceless experience that Mountain View has afforded me and my family,” said Chief Wardle.

The City Manager has appointed Deputy Chief Juan Diaz as Interim Chief and indicated recruitment for a permanent Fire Chief will get underway immediately. Diaz joined the City in May 2014, after spending 25 years with San Jose Fire Department, serving as Deputy Fire Chief at that time.

City Manager Rich noted, “Juan has extensive operational experience and has done an excellent job as Deputy Chief during his short tenure with Mountain View. I have complete confidence in his ability to continue to lead the department and carry on the initiatives begun under Chief Wardle.”

Also on Patch:

• Experts’ Q&A on Record-Low Snowpack in California Mountains
• Audrie Pott Wrongful Death Suit Settled For 950K; Public Apologies Due From Defendants
• RIP, Lon Simmons: Beloved Broadcaster For Giants, A’s, 49ers Dies At 91
• Palo Alto Citywide Yard Sale
• Fairfield Man, 35, Arrested In ‘Heinous’ Attack On Well-Liked Homeless Man