The Stanislaus Consolidated Fire Protection District has launched a nationwide search for its next fire chief.

At its Feb. 11 Board of Directors Meeting, the five member board approved a $10,500 contract with the Sacramento executive search company Bob Murray and Associates to help in the recruitment process for a new, permanent fire chief. The contract also allows for up to $4,500 in expenses and materials used in the search.

The chief’s position became vacant last December when Stanislaus Consolidated Fire Chief Randall Bradley was hired by the City of Tracy to become its new chief.

As part of the new contract, Bob Murray and Associates will develop a candidate profile and advertise for the position including a recruitment brochure. Applications will be collected and a list of potential candidates will be screened, background checked and interviewed for recommendation to district officials, who will have the final say in appointment.

No salary range for the position was given, however Bradley was paid $157,000 per year to lead the 85-person department.

Department spokesperson Carissa Higginbotham did not have a timeline on how long the process would take or potential date to have the new chief on board.

Bradley, who had been hired by the district in April 2014, cited his primary motivation for the move to Tracy was to be closer to family, particularly his ailing father and that his family lives in Manteca. Bradley, who left on good terms with Stanislaus Consolidated, also started his 34-plus year career in Tracy.

Stanislaus Consolidated Fire Protection District staffs eight fire stations to provide fire and emergency medical services for 523 square miles in the county, with Oakdale and Riverbank both included in the coverage area. It has an operating budget of $11.2 million and responded to over 7,300 incidents in 2015.

Deputy Chief Michael Wapnowski has been serving as acting fire chief, leading the department since Bradley’s departure, and he previously served as acting fire chief for the department during other chief vacancies in 2013.