Chief Coggan Resigns, Citing Family’s Move

Oxnard Fire Chief Randy Coggan--in the same week he was named Employee of the Quarter--turned in a letter of resignation, citing personal reasons.

Coggan gave his two-week notice to City Manager Tom Frutchey last week, saying he regretted leaving, but that he could not part from his family, which had relocated to Washington state, Frutchey said. Coggan was in Washington on Monday and unavailable for comment.

“He felt that it wasn’t right for his family to be separated,” said Frutchey, who accepted Coggan’s resignation. “He felt family comes first.”

Frutchey said Coggan, who began in May 1995, had initiated several innovative firefighting programs in Oxnard. In addition, Coggan had improved communication among the Fire Department, the county, the military bases and the airport. A permanent replacement has not been found for Coggan, whose last day will be Dec. 11, Frutchey said.

Mayor Manuel Lopez said he regretted Coggan’s resignation.

“I think he has been an outstanding chief,” Lopez said. “I think that the time that he has spent here has really proven that promise to be true.”

Coggan’s colleagues also expressed dismay over his departure, saying that he had helped to improve the Fire Department’s morale.

“We are extremely disappointed,” said Bill Gallaher, head of the firefighters union. “In the short time that he has been here he has breathed new life into the Fire Department . . . he was really dedicated about doing a good job.”

Added Battalion Chief Henry Lehart: “Chief Coggan was a good chief . . . we hate to see him go. I think most of the firefighters feel the same way.”