Ventura Fire Chief to Head Department in Pasadena
Ventura’s fire chief will step down after 10 years to take a similar job in Pasadena, city officials announced Thursday.
Dennis Downs, the city’s chief since July 1994, said he was ready for a new challenge.
“As fire chief, the only way I can meet this need is to move to a different department,” Downs said. “Additionally, I believe that to keep a department motivated and moving in a positive direction, there needs to be an occasional leadership change.”
Downs’ resignation is effective March 26, and he starts in Pasadena on April 5.
Ventura Assistant Fire Chief Mike Lavery will serve as interim chief.
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