Interim HMB Fire Chief Vern Hamilton has resigned

The resignation of Half Moon Bay Fire Chief Vern Hamilton’s was announced at tonight’s meeting of the Point Montara Fire Protection District.  Division Chief Paul Cole will take over as Interim Chief and Captain David Cosgrave has been promoted to acting Division Chief/Shift Supervisor. Hamilton began a vacation this week.

Cole will be the department’s fourth Chief in a year. Hamilton was brought on as Fire Chief after the resignation, for personal reasons, of the previous Chief, Peter Bonano in March.  Bonano resigned after writing a stinging evaluation of the department and recommending that it outsource its fire services. Bonano replaced Chief Jim Asche, who left in

December 2005.

Hamilton is an associate of Robert Olsen Associates, a consulting firm that is assisting the district with its reorganization.  Hamilton returns from vacation the beginning of September, but as a representative of Robert Olsen Associates.  His will continue as a consultant on the consolidation.

There are two important meetings coming up for Coastsiders interested in the fire situation.

• Wednesday, August 8, Robert Olsen will speak and answer questions at the Midcoast Community Council at 7:30pm at Seton Coastside in Moss Beach, during the public comment period at the beginning of the meeting. This is your opportunity to come and ask questions about the service contracts and consolidation progress. Robert Olsen is the chief consultant hired by both boards.  He has conducted a variety of emergency service reviews, including providing recommendations and solutions for many California cities and fire districts.
• Thursday, August 17, the fire boards will hold their next meeting on consolidation and contracting.  The meeting will be held in the large equipment area at the HMB fire station.  The MCC meeting will be the only opportunity the public will have to have its questions answered directly by the consultant prior to the meeting on Aug 17th.

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