Bruce hired as fire chief

 A regular city council meeting turned into a debate about policy last week. 

On Tuesday, Feb. 17, the appointment for a new Red Oak fire chief was on the agenda. The hiring committee had selected the candidate and the salary had been discussed. All that awaited was the council’s approval; however, one councilman had a problem with the process.

“In the code book, the state of Iowa and the city of Red Oak, the fire chief is supposed to be appointed by the city council,” councilman Roger Waggener said at the meeting. “As far as I know, when the [applications] come in, none of the council had seen these apps, seen any of the job description, salary or anything. And, they weren’t involved in this at all and to me...I’d be very uncomfortable voting on something I know nothing about.” 

Red Oak City Administrator Brad Wright said the process used in hiring was the same as had been used in the past. A committee was created, interviews were conducted and a recommendation for fire chief was selected to go before the city council for approval. Wright reminded Waggener when the recommendation is brought before the council, Waggener had “the right to say yes or no.”

The biggest problem seemed to be a KCSI interview that took place before the council meeting. In the interview, the candidate’s name was revealed and it sounded as though he had already been hired. 

“I think it might have been just the timing of the radio interview that was the biggest issue in question,” Wright said. “It sounded like he’d already been hired, when in fact, it really wasn’t official until tonight’s action by the city council.”

After discussion on policy took place, a 3-1 vote appointed Villisca resident John Bruce as fire chief with an annual salary of $52,500 with Waggener voting no. Councilman Scott Keith did not attend the meeting. 

Wright said Bruce’s list of qualifications is extensive and believes the council made the right decision. 

“We have had contact from several members from the paid department, the volunteers, rural fire board, community members showing strong support for John, knowing he had applied for this position,” Wright said. “I think we’ve made a good decision and I think the department will follow him and is very pleased.”

A current Red Oak Police Department employee, Bruce said that he’s “got it in the genes” to be a part of the fire department. He has several family members who have served on the Red Oak Fire Department. 

Bruce has spent 17 years with the police department and 13 years as a volunteer with the fire department. He is currently a lieutenant for the ROPD and a fire investigator. 

Although he has spent his professional career in Red Oak, there was concern because he currently resides in Villisca. Bruce said he and his wife are going to begin looking at house closer to Red Oak, but they must keep their family and finances in mind. 

Bruce said the Red Oak community “is why we’re here.” He said the department is able to run due to the donations and support from the community and he wants to keep that connection. 

Bruce’s start date as fire chief will be March 2.