Crime & Safety

Greg Moore Sworn in as Fire Chief

Surrounded by his family and fire and police department personnel, longtime firefighter officially takes the helm.

Two weeks after his police department counterpart Angel Bernal officially took the helm as Police Chief, new Fire Chief Greg Moore did the same Monday night, taking the oath of office in front of the City Council and a room filled with his family, friends and colleagues from the police and fire departments.

"I absolutely love this profession and this city, and it just keeps getting better and better," Moore said. "I just can't think of a better position to be in."

In making the appointment, City Manager Jim McCann said Moore was clearly the right man for the job.

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"It's just absolutely obviously to me that Greg has unequaled knowledge about the fire conditions in Mill Valley," McCann said. "I can't think of anybody who knows the lay of the land better than Chief Moore."

Moore, 61, has spent his entire 36-year professional career with the Mill Valley Fire Department, starting as a volunteer firefighter in 1974 and joining the department as a full-time firefighter a year later. Moore graduated from Tam High and earned his Associate Degree in Fire Science from the College of Marin.

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McCann and several councilmembers recalled going on ride-alongs with Moore along the city's fire roads and around fire breaks and areas of concern.

"Not only did it take me about a week before my bones stopped rattling, but it was extremely educational - and that's what counts," Vice Mayor Ken Wachtel said. "It would be difficult to find anyone with greater dedication and devotion to our town."

Councilman Andy Berman highlighted Moore's passion for the job and the efficiency with which he communicates.

"You are really passionate about your job and you're really passionate about saving Mill Valley," he said. "And what you see is what you get – there's no fluff around it."

Moore's appointment represents the first time in 34 years that that the city has had a dedicated fire chief. Moore became interim Fire Chief in November 2009 after the retirement of Robert Ritter, who had overseen both the police and fire departments for 12 years.

After Ritter's retirement a year ago, then-city manager Anne Montgomery sought to reorganize the departments to allow for more direct supervision, and the City Council approved the plan the same month. Moore and Angel Bernal were appointed interim chiefs of the fire and police departments, respectively.

"That decision has had a profound impact not only on me but also on the entire fire department," Moore said.


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