Witt says he made an ‘unpopular decision’ but laid the foundation for future success as KCFD prepares for new president | News

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David Witt’s two years as chief of the Kern County Fire Department have proven to be one of the toughest fire departments he’s ever faced.

Hampered by severe budget deficits, Witt is presiding over the worst wildfire season in state history, a pandemic requiring up to 20 firefighters to isolate at a given time, and a Ridgecrest earthquake. I did. But as he prepares to hand the oath to the next president, Aaron Duncan, Witt sees his work almost done.

“What we have been trying to do we have achieved,” he told reporters on Thursday. “We feel like we looked back at the fire department with the help of others. It might not be visible yet. My staff might not be able to see everything yet, but it will come.”

The Fire Department was in a precarious financial position when Witt was in charge, and he had persistent structural deficits that drained resources from other sectors of the county for years. Witt was forced to describe what he described as an “unpopular decision” and allowed firefighters to fill positions to save money by working overtime. This is cheaper than hiring additional employees.

But now, the county says the deficit has vanished thanks to $4 million in cash from public sources, more-than-expected income, and federal pandemic support.

When Witt took office, his department wasn’t saving money. Currently, Witt says KCFD has saved $30 million. The department is now in a position to restore 70 jobs that were vacant last year to reduce costs.

“Now is the time for a new group to take it to a new level,” Witt said. “We have created a foundation. It is time for them to come and join this wonderful fire station, the wonderful Khan County.”

The Oversight Committee quickly worked to replace Witt. Less than two weeks after Witt publicly announced his retirement, the Board of Directors nominated Duncan for the next president’s position. The board interviewed six candidates and eventually settled on one of the four vice presidents.

“We looked at all options and a matrix was introduced, but we felt time mattered and we had a very strong internal candidate,” said Chairman Philip Peters. I will. “I think it makes sense from a board perspective to see what they tested and what qualities they brought to the table. I won’t talk about the rest of the board, but I’m in the department. Going with one of us seemed like a general consensus that it made sense given the limitations we had.”

Duncan will take the helm on July 19, giving Wit more than two weeks to cast his shadow as he learns the ropes of his new position. Giving new chiefs time to transition smoothly was seen as the key to quickly appointing a Wit successor. In addition to Wit, three members of HQ have also announced their retirement.

However, not all “unpopular decisions” have been made so far, creating challenges for the next president.

The county is still negotiating new contracts with nine cities that have contracts with the KCFD for firefighting. This contract now allows cities to pay for services less than they cost to perform.

Supervisors have approved plans to increase the amount the city will have to pay to continue using the fire department. It is important to reach a new agreement to prevent the department from creating another deficit.

“We’re stable, but we’re not up front,” CEO Ryan Allsop wrote in an email.

He added that many of the county’s other priorities, such as hiring more lawmakers and meeting the need for fire department equipment, had yet to be addressed.

“Maintaining our financial position next year and being able to meet many of the county’s key needs in the future depends entirely on the continued and consistent growth of our county’s major sources of income,” he said. I continued. We must achieve in the next few years an increased strength of the oil and gas sector, spending control, stable pension costs, and income to fund all important public safety and quality of life services. Success includes important work that needs to be done. “

Witt says he made an ‘unpopular decision’ but laid the foundation for future success as KCFD prepares for new president | News Source Link Witt says he made an ‘unpopular decision’ but laid the foundation for future success as KCFD prepares for new president | News

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