Chief who implemented new deployment plan retires. 35 years with LAFD and 59 years old.
Los Angeles Times:
Just 22 months after he took the helm of the Los Angeles Fire Department, Chief Millage Peaks announced Monday that he is stepping down.
His departure comes about a month after the City Council approved his controversial redeployment plan, which calls for firetrucks or ambulances at about one-fourth of the 106 fire stations to be put out of service.
The redeployment plan, which Peaks crafted after the mayor asked him to trim more than $50 million from the department’s budget, was opposed by the firefighters union and generated outcry from some community members who said it prioritized the bottom line over public safety.
Go HERE for rest of article by Kate Linthicum at Los Angeles City Hall
From Daily News:
"Chief Peaks leaves a more flexible department, with a greater capacity, that is prepared to meet the opportunities and realities of the 21st century," department spokesman Capt. Jaime Moore said.
Moore said Peaks told staff he is retiring because it is "a good time for him." Moore added that Peaks is leaving the department with a balanced budget and believed firefighters are close to solidifying a multi-year contract with the city.
read more from Daily News Wire Services HERE
Chief Peaks has a wealth of experience and brings an innovative perspective to public safety in Los Angeles. Since his appointment to the department in January of 1976,
Chief Peaks has held the rank of Firefighter, Captain, Battalion Chief, and on September 11, 2009 was confirmed as the 16th Fire Chief of the Los Angeles Fire Department. His service record includes administrative experience in Recruit Training, Planning Section Chief, Operations Executive Officer, Department Safety Officer, and as the Department Chief of Staff.
Chief Peaks received a Bachelors of Arts in Psychology from California State University at Dominguez Hills.
He lives in downtown Los Angeles with his wife Anne. He has four adult children and enjoys spending time with his family and participating in community based activities.
UPDATE LAFD.org: Chief Millage Peaks Announces Retirement
During a statement to his executive staff, Chief Peaks commended the sworn, civilian, cadet and volunteer men and women of the LAFD, who continue to work diligently to serve the residents of Los Angeles.
He thanked the Mayor for his confidence in allowing him to lead the Department; and expressed his appreciation to the City Council and the Fire Commission for working cooperatively in managing the Fire Department through this extremely difficult fiscal period.
Chief Peaks also acknowledged his gratitude to his family for their support throughout his tenure. Chief Peaks' personal integrity and unwavering dedication to firefighter and public safety facilitated a relentless focus on the Department’s mission of preserving life and property and the LAFD’s core values of service, professionalism, respect, innovation and trust.
Fire Chief Millage Peaks leaves a legacy of organizational evolution, collaboration, and innovation as a result of his vision and steadfast leadership.
The change that occurred under his watch is visible across the community as a 47% reduction in fire fatalities, greater educational opportunities for our youth and increased public-private partnership in support of the LAFD.
The full benefit of these changes will be felt for years to come. Serving during what many would consider the most fiscally challenging period in the Department’s history,
Chief Peaks made tremendous progress in evolving the Fire Department’s business model, strengthening the catastrophic incident command and control, and bolstering the department’s technology infrastructure.
Additionally, his accomplishments include:
- Instituting a creative structural framework for e-learning, broader community partnership, performance excellence modeling, metrics based decision making, and full cost recovery initiatives, along with alternative funding, that set into motion the continued advancement of the LAFD as the premiere full spectrum fire and life safety emergency service agency.
- Leading the industry by creating models for Catastrophic Incident Command and Control; Department Operation Center (DOC) Concept of Operation; comprehensive HIPAA compliant electronic field data capture and ambulance billing system; family and emergency responder preparedness implementation process; prioritization of critical services, and a succession and knowledge management transfer process.
- Improved service delivery as evidenced by:
- The professionalism and sacrifice exemplified by each and every LAFD employee, partner and volunteer;
- Increased community engagement in the public discourse on prioritization of public service; and
- Realignment of the LAFD’s resource footprint to reflect the emergency service needs of the community.
Chief Peaks's tenure has resulted in a more flexible Department. The new LAFD is prepared to meet the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century.
Chief Peaks replaced Douglas Barry, who spent two-and-a-half years as LAFD Fire Chief and retired with 34 years service.
Barry replaced William Bamattre, who spent a little over a decade as the chief and retired with 30 years on the job. All three started with LAFD in 1975/1976.
Mike "FossilMedic" Ward
Also on FireGeezer…
- LAFD reduces Light Force staffing to put 11 additional ambulances on the road – April 30, 2013
- LAFD gets $1.6M to staff 11 ambulances with overtime crews until June – May 7, 2013
- The 1913 Brennan Hotel fire – LAFD – January 24, 2013
- First LAFD hiring since 2009 – August 1, 2012
