The Board of Directors of the Orange County Fire Authority voted unanimously to appoint Jeff Bowman as its chief.
Bowman had been interim chief since Sept. 2 and has more than 34 years of fire service experience.
“I’d like to thank the OCFA Board for their continuing support,” Bowman said. “I came here to help create significant short-term initiatives, a solid planning process, and to get the ball rolling.
“With this appointment, I’m now able to be part of developing a long- term planning strategy that will address a change in culture and guide us to where we want the organization to be several years from now.”
The Orange County Fire Authority has a staff of more than 1,300 and is made up of 71 fire stations that provide services for 23 cities and unincorporated county areas.
Bowman’s selection to head the agency on a permanent basis concludes a search that began in September after former Chief Keith Richter’s retirement in August.
Before being appointed interim chief, Bowman spent 29 years with the Anaheim Fire Department, 16 as chief, and four years as chief of the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department. He also served as the interim fire chief in Oceanside.
Bowman holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of San Francisco and associate’s degrees in fire technology and paramedic science from Santa Ana College.
“We have seen Chief Bowman in action, and I can speak for the entire board when I say he has our full vote of confidence to continue the job that he’s started,” said OCFA Board of Directors Chairman Al Murray.
“Chief Bowman hit the ground running and we look forward to working together on behalf of OCFA’s firefighters, employees and constituents.”
The authority provides firefighting services in Aliso Viejo, Buena Park, Cypress, Dana Point, Irvine, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Woods, Lake Forest, La Palma, Los Alamitos, Mission Viejo, Placentia, Rancho Santa Margarita, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, Seal Beach, Santa Ana, Stanton, Tustin, Villa Park, Westminster and Yorba Linda.
—City News Service