Who should lead the state department responsible for wildland fires? Someone who knows how to manage forests, or someone who knows how to put out the flames?
The union that represents California state firefighters is leaning on Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom to appoint a fire chief to lead the state’s fire department.
Cal Fire Local 2881’s request reflects a split between the two main responsibilities for the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
As its formal name conveys, the department both sets policies to manage forests and serves as the state’s primary defense when wildfires break out. The union contends that California’s recent wildfires have grown so dangerous that Newsom should appoint someone with a deep professional background in firefighting rather than forest management.
“Forests need to be managed, but it’s not going to stop the fires,” said Tim Edwards, the union’s incoming president.