Following the resignation of Roger Bloom earlier this month, the City of Gilroy named a new interim chief of the Gilroy Fire Department on Tuesday.
Alan Anderson will be replacing Bloom, who stepped down after being cited in Santa Cruz County for buying alcohol for a minor in an underage drinking sting performed by the Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office.
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Bloom was on the job under a month following the Aug. 17 retirement of Chief Dale Foster.
Anderson comes to Gilroy after an interview and background check process, and started his employment on Tuesday. Over the last three decades he has served as battalion chief in San Jose and also worked for Cal Fire and Union City Fire Department.
"Chief Anderson brings excellent administrative, emergency management and fire ground experience to the position having served at three different fire agencies over the course of his thirty year career,” Gilroy City Administrator Tom Haglund said.
According to an official statement from the city, Haglund will earn $14,525 per month in his time as interim chief.
In the coming weeks, Haglund said that the city will begin the process of finding a permanent chief. The hiring gauntlet usually lasts four to six months, he said.
As recruitment has not yet opened for the position, Haglund said Anderson is not yet an official candidate for the permanent chief job. But for the present time at least, the city is pleased with its newest fire chief.
"He has a strong management acumen and we think he'll do well in the position," Haglund said.
