Florida Official Appointed as County Fire Chief

Randy Coggan, 36, a Florida fire official, was named Ventura County Fire Chief on Tuesday by the Board of Supervisors.

Coggan, who has served as an assistant fire chief and public safety director in two Florida counties, will assume the position within 30 days.

He takes over a job that was held for 2 1/2 years by Wes Kilcrease, who resigned as chief Feb. 28 amid personnel problems in the top ranks of the department.

“I have great respect for Randy Coggan,” Supervisor John Flynn said. “He’s a very impressive individual, who has the skills to manage this fire district. They’ve had some personnel problems, but he has the skills to bring the district together.”