The new Fire Chief for Stanislaus Consolidated Fire Protection District (SCFPD) – Matt Daly – was sworn in, pinned and welcomed by members of the community prior to the regular SCFPD board meeting this past Thursday, Sept. 8.
The chief position became vacant in December 2015 and a nationwide search was conducted over the past several months to fill the position for the Stanislaus Consolidated Fire Protection District. During that time, Deputy Chief Michael Wapnowski held down the interim Fire Chief position.
Board President Shayne Strasser was the master of ceremonies and gave a little background on the new Fire Chief from Plainfield, Illinois. He noted some of his accomplishments and administered the Oath of Office and pinned the badge on Daly.
All board members were present, with Susan Zanker, Board Vice President; Steve Green, Director; and Michelle Guzman, Director joining Strasser on the dais.
Strasser also gave praise and thanks to Wapnowski for his service as the interim fire chief.
“I can tell you my first few days here, my first few weeks, he has been a huge asset,” Daly said of Wapnowski. “He has shared a lot with me and I really have enjoyed working with him thus far.”
Daly has only been in California for about a month and he expressed that he likes what he sees and that he wanted to go to a department that was bigger and busier than where he was from and a place where he could be challenged.
There was a nicely decorated cake and refreshments served at the welcome reception where people met Daly and shared a few words of welcome with him.
Representative Mike Anderson from Congressman Jeff Denham’s office presented Daly with a certificate of special congressional recognition and welcomed him to the area.
Riverbank Mayor Richard D. O’Brien welcomed Daly with a handshake, as did Interim City Manager Marisela Garcia.
Others in attendance were Oakdale Fire Protection District Board Member Vincent Victorine, Cal Fire Tuolumne Calaveras Unit Chief Josh White and Division Chief Jeff Sanders, Ceres Professional Firefighters Local 3636 Union President Captain Mike Miller, Troy Lutes from E&J Gallo Winery and SCFPD personnel.
