Ex-Fire Chief Coggan Returning to Old Job

Oxnard city and fire officials have welcomed the news of former Fire Chief Randy Coggan’s reappointment after a six-month absence.

Coggan, who resigned in November after he was denied a six-month leave of absence by then-City Manager Tom Frutchey, will begin his duties in mid-June.

Although he will be separated from his family, which had relocated to Redmond, Wash., Coggan said he is excited about his return to Oxnard.

“I feel good about it,” said Coggan, adding that he would frequently visit his family.

“I’m glad that everything is in place for me to get back.”

Mayor Manuel Lopez, who had urged Frutchey to grant Coggan a leave, said he was glad to see him return.

“We are happy to have him back,” Lopez said. “I always considered him an outstanding fire chief. I think he energized the troops, and they really looked up to him.”

Coggan’s departure was a blow to the rank-and-file firefighters who considered him a strong leader. Appointed to the position in May 1995, Coggan was credited with initiating several innovative firefighting programs in Oxnard and improving communications among the Fire Department, the county, the military bases and Oxnard Airport.

In December, Battalion Chief Henry Lenhart, a 32-year veteran of the Oxnard Fire Department, was named interim chief. The city had been looking internally for a successor to Coggan.

Coggan still has work ahead.

The department has struggled through years of cutbacks and low morale, and it continues to have a shortage of personnel, with only 77 full-time firefighters compared with 100 positions in 1990.

The department is seeking four new firefighter positions in next year’s budget, including an administrative chief position, along with more money to pay for cell phone use and an increased training budget.