T.O. mayor puts on a different hat for Los Angeles Fire Department
By Nancy Needham nancy@theacorn.com

Thousand Oaks Mayor Andy Fox, who has served for 26 years at the Los Angeles Fire Department, has been named its new head of the Bureau of Training and Risk Management.

Dep. Chief Fox served as operations commander for the past three years. Under LAFD reorganization, Dep. Chief Emile Mack, who was the head of the Bureau of Training and Risk Management, will become the operations commander and report directly to the chief. The changes will take effect April 1.

"Both Chief Fox and Chief Mack are dedicated, loyal and accomplished officers who faithfully serve the community of Los Angeles and have achieved the rank of deputy chief due to their exceptional backgrounds, skills and qualifications for the position," said Fire Chief Douglas Barry.

The Bureau of Training and Risk Management is responsible for human resources and inservice training of about 3,500 firefighters as well as recruiting and training about 250 new firefighters every year. As the head of risk management the deputy chief leads the department in finding ways to better protect the community, organization and emergency operations in Los Angeles. This is done by identifying and evaluating potential risks, Fox said.

"I give my best efforts to every assignment I am given," Fox said.

He plans to work hard to get the best recruits available for the fire department, using community outreach and other resources, he said. It isn't easy to find the best firefighters.

"The job is physically demanding and requires good character," Fox noted.

It's not unusual for organizations to reassign managers within organizations if that's what's best for the company. The Los Angeles Fire Department is no different.

"All deputy chief jobs are very important. They must work together to function efficiently and effectively," Fox said.

Fox, who was reelected to the City Council in November for his fourth term after receiving the most votes of any of the nine candidates, was introduced at a recent Chamber of Commerce event as someone who's loved in Thousand Oaks.

He's tried to keep his highprofile LAFD job separate from his service to the city of Thousand Oaks, Fox said.

LAFD was in the news recently for a hazing incident involving a firefighter who called himself "Big Dog" and was allegedly fed dog food by other firefighters. Fox's former duties as Operations Commander put him in the chain of authority where disciplinary decisions over such incidents crossed his desk. Not everyone has been happy with the outcome of some those decisions made by LAFD.

"Operations Commander is a stressful position where you have to make decisions about people's careers and complex personnel matters," Fox said.

In his new position he'll be helping the department attract the best possible candidates and provide them with the training they need to be successful in protecting the communities they serve.

He will also be searching for the best risk management information available to keep those firefighters healthy and safe on the job.

It will also be vital that Fox keeps current on the best firefighting techniques so he can continue to train the staff through in-service programs.

"I will also be working on leadership training, conflict resolution and cultural diversity," Fox said.

"I always do the best job I can do."