More than two months after the city expected to announce the hiring of a new chief to lead its troubled fire department in the wake of the Ghost Ship disaster, it remains unclear how soon the position will be filled.
One of the finalists, Los Angeles Assistant Fire Chief Patrick Butler, told the Bay Area News Group on Friday he was offered the job at the end of August but turned it down because the compensation package would mean a pay cut.
Multiple sources said another finalist, former Oakland firefighter and current Richmond Deputy Chief Emon Usher, is no longer being considered. Usher did not return a call for comment Friday.
Interim Fire Chief Darin White, identified as a contender by the sources who spoke on the condition anonymity because they weren’t authorized to speak publicly, in an interview Friday said he has “not been told yes or no.”