Burbank names department veteran as new fire chief

Burbank on Thursday named a 25-year department veteran to the top post, replacing Ray Krakowski, who retired last month.

Tom Lenahan, a former fire marshal who’s been serving as the city’s interim fire chief in recent months, was named to the permanent position Thursday in an announcement released by the city.

In a statement, Lenahan said the city and fire department have “provided everything to me and my family and I look forward to giving back.”

In his 25 years with the department, Lenahan has served as a firefighter and paramedic, engineer, captain, battalion chief and fire marshal.

“I’m confident he will continue the tradition of providing top level public safety services,” Interim City Manager Ken Pulskamp said in a statement.

Lenahan began his career as a deputy with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department in 1982. He joined the Burbank Fire Department five years later as a firefighter, according to the city.

Mayor Dave Golonski on Thursday called Lenahan a “solid leader.”

“I think he’s an excellent choice,” Golonski said.

-- Alene Tchekmedyian, Times Community News

Follow Alene Tchekmedyian on Google+ and on Twitter: @atchek.