New chief arrives in Menlo fire district New chief arrives in Menlo fire district (August 24, 2005)

** Chief Sporleder to help board find the best permanent chief.

By Renee Batti

Almanac News Editor

The local fire district has a new person in the chief's office this week, with Paul Wilson, the Menlo Park Fire Protection District's chief for nearly three years, turning the reins over to Doug Sporleder during a change-of-command ceremony on Monday.

Although Chief Sporleder won't have the word "interim" in his title, he is not expected to remain in the position for long. Retired in 2001 after serving as chief of the Santa Clara County Fire Department for nearly 20 years, Mr. Sporleder will help guide the district board as it decides on how best to choose a permanent chief, according to board President Bart Spencer.

The length of his tenure is indeterminate, Mr. Spencer said. His monthly salary is $15,000. The board voted to hire him during a closed-session meeting on August 16.

Chief Wilson, whose three-year contract was set to expire on November 3, announced his resignation last spring. He said he and his wife wanted to move back to Arizona, where their parents and two children live. After selling their house, the Wilsons were eager to make their move, and there was no penalty for the chief to leave the district two and a half months before his contract expired, Mr. Spencer said.

Chief Sporleder began his fire services career as a volunteer firefighter in 1963. As chief of the Santa Clara County Fire Department, he was responsible for an agency with nearly 300 employees and a budget of $32 million, according to a district-issued press release. The department serves such communities as Campbell, Saratoga, Cupertino, Los Altos, Los Gatos and Morgan Hill.

"He comes with a lot of praise and a lot of respect from his peers," Mr. Spencer said. "He's going to bring a lot to the table for us."

Mr. Spencer said the board views this period as "an opportunity for us to do some internal reflection" on the district's direction, and Chief Sporleder's knowledge and experience make him a good person to help board members do that.

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