Fire Chief Dan Stefano Sworn-in Today

(City Clerk Swears-in Dan Stefano as Fred Seguin looks on)

THE SWEARING-IN
During a well-attended, brief ceremony in City Council Chambers at Costa Mesa City Hall brand-new Fire Chief Dan Stefano was sworn-in by City Clerk Brenda Green.

 (Dan Stefano addresses the crowd)

  (Stefano pinned by his wife, Michelle)

STALWART FRED RAN THE SHOW
Deputy Chief Fred Seguin was the Master of Ceremonies for this event.  He introduced Stefano to the crowd in the chambers, who, in turn, introduced his immediate and extended family - some of whom had traveled hundreds of miles for this ceremony.

(Deputy Chief Fred Seguin shown with Police Chief Tom Gazsi and Tom Arnold)

 (CEO Hatch welcomes Stefano and praises the team)

HATCH PRAISED THE TEAM
Chief Executive Officer Tom Hatch spoke of the celebration - it's been more than three years since the Costa Mesa Fire Department has had stable leadership.  Hatch mentioned the contributions of former interim Chief Kirk Dominic, who was not in attendance today.  He also mentioned the very significant contributions of Interim Chief Tom Arnold, who provided mature leadership at a critical time and created a new, more efficient deployment model that will be fully implemented upon arrival of the new ambulances early next year.  Hatch said he valued Arnold's significant contributions, including the wise counsel he provided to Hatch.  He recalls his advice: "Keep calm and move forward." He also gave much-deserved praise to Seguin, who jumped into the role as Interim Chief when Arnold had to step away earlier this year.  Hatch acknowledged the contributions to all the members of the Fire Department during the stressful times, pointing out that all the Battalion Chiefs had stepped up and accepted assignments on top of their normal load.

 (Tom Arnold and Dan Stefano)

MEET THE CHIEF THIS EVENING
Welcome to Fire Chief Dan Stefano, shown below with his wife, Michelle (a first-grade teacher in the Newport-Mesa Unified School District), their three daughters, Sofia, Siena and Sicily and other members of his family.   A community reception will be held in Conference Room 1A at City Hall this evening at 5:00, before the start of the City Council meeting at 6:00.  The public is encouraged to attend and meet the new chief.