Garden Grove : Acting Fire Chief Is Appointed New Head
Vincent F. Bonacker, 43, was appointed fire chief this week by City Manager George Tindall.
Bonacker has been acting fire chief since Sept. 1, when Lon Cahill retired. He joined the department in 1977 as a firefighter / paramedic after starting his fire service career three years earlier with the California Division of Forestry.
Bonacker emerged as the top candidate for the job from among 50 candidates who were recruited throughout the state, officials said.
Deputy City Manager Mike Fenderson, who served on an oral board that interviewed candidates, said Friday that Bonacker “is extremely knowledgeable and has performed every function in the Fire Department.”
A resident of Irvine, Bonacker has a bachelor’s degree in public administration from Cal State Long Beach and is now pursuing a master’s degree there.
The City Council is expected to establish his salary Tuesday night.
Bonacker is married and has three daughters.
The Fire Department has seven stations and about 100 employees.
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