As you might’ve seen in these pages last month, the Southern Marin Fire Protection District recently garnered some well-earned kudos. At the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC)’s Fire-Rescue International (FRI) Conference, the IAFC recognized the Southern Marin Fire Protection District as one of the top 15 fire service leaders from across North America and around the globe, an honor worthy of profiling to the International Fire Service Community.
Now comes word that three incumbents are vying with a challenger for three seats on the Southern Marin Fire Protection District board in the Nov. 5 election. The move comes on the heels of the district merging with the Mill Valley Fire Department. The district’s seven-member board now governs an agency that has 90 full-time employees and nine fire stations. Southern Marin firefighters serve more than 41,500 residents in a 25-square-mile area that includes Mill Valley, Sausalito, Strawberry, Homestead Valley, Tamalpais Valley, the Alto area, Tiburon and the Marin Headlands.
Rich Riechel, the operations director for Marin County Search and Rescue and a longtime Mill Valley volunteer firefighter, is the only non-incumbent in the race. He said he brings a perspective that’s grounded in his direct involvement with the fire department and his understanding of the personnel and community. Riechel said the district should hire and retain highly qualified personnel to resolve paramedic staffing issues. He added that unforeseen challenges and outcomes are likely because the district recently annexed territory. “I am committed to actively identifying and addressing these situations as they arise, ensuring that our fire services continue to meet the highest standards,” Riechel said.
Clifford Waldeck, a board member who is also a former Mill Valley City Council member, said he’s the first Mill Valley resident to serve on the Southern Marin fire board. He said that he’s gained more than 200 endorsements for his re-election.
“I feel a strong responsibility to familiarize my community with all that SMFD provides, such as fire prevention and suppression, medical and ambulance, search and rescue and vegetation management services,” Waldeck said. Waldeck and the other incumbents in the race — Cathryn Hilliard and Ashley Raveche — generally believe that the district’s merger with the Mill Valley Fire Department was a success. “Morale is strong,” Waldeck said. “Opportunities for promotion have increased.”
Hilliard recalled that her son became the first Southern Marin district employee when the district formed. She said that he inspired her to run for a seat on the district board 14 years ago. Hilliard said the district’s scope & territory expanded since then.