New fire chief takes reins in Calif. bay area

By Peter Hegarty
Contra Costa Times

ALAMEDA, Calif. — Things were off to a bad start when David Kapler arrived in Alameda to take over as the city's fire chief: The airline had lost his luggage during his flight from Minnesota.

But his frustration as he tried to track down the missing luggage was more than offset by the welcome he received, the veteran firefighter said.

"People have really gone out of their way to be friendly," Kapler said on a recent Wednesday afternoon as he sat inside Alameda's Fire Station 1. "I have especially noticed it with people who work in the shops, how helpful they are."

Kapler was named Alameda fire chief in September.

While he has spent much of his working life in California — he began his career in Coronado near San Diego — his voice carries the trace of a Minnesota accent.

Kapler stepped down as chief of the state's Rochester Fire Department after 14 years to take the position here. The city is larger than Alameda, with a 98,000 population.

Rochester's fire department is smaller, however: ninety-five employees compared with the approximately 115 in Alameda.

Among the first challenges Kapler has faced here is staffing: There are 14 vacancies within the department because of retirements and other issues.

Moreover, Kapler recently was put on notice — as were other city department leaders -- that money is tight and he should plan on maintaining a tight budget, which could make filling those jobs difficult.

"Disappointing" is how the 58-year-old Kapler described the news.

Despite the money woes, Kapler said he hopes to fill at least nine of the slots during the next few months.

The vacancies mean that many Alameda firefighters now are working overtime to staff the Island's five fire stations.

"Our minimum number is 27 firefighters on duty daily," Kapler said. "That's a commitment we have to maintain, no matter what."

Just what that commitment means can be judged by the number of 911 calls. Last year, Alameda firefighters fielded 6,573 of the calls — everything from people hurt during traffic accidents to residents complaining of shortness of breath.

Another challenge that Kapler faces is the construction of a new fire station to replace the one at Grand Street and Pacific Avenue.

Currently, firefighters are working out of a nearby house because the station — which serves the central part of Alameda — is not earthquake-safe.

"We have identified a potential site for a new station," Kapler said. "But it's going to be a long process and it's going to take years. It's not going to be built anytime soon."

The need to replace the Grand Street station, plus the recent wildfires in Southern California, should remind people it's absolutely vital that they prepare for earthquakes and other emergencies, Kapler said.

"That's probably our main challenge," he said. "We need to make people aware and to get them ready. They need to have water and food for several days, a battery-operated radio and other supplies."

He added, "After all, 27 firefighters cannot be everywhere in the event of a citywide disaster."

Kapler said he hopes more residents will become involved in the department's Citizen Emergency Response Teams, which are neighborhood-based groups of people who have been trained to help out in the event of a disaster.

Along with being fire chief in Rochester, Kapler's background includes serving as chief at the Campbell Fire Department near San Jose and at the Tahoe Douglas Fire District in Nevada.

He was one of just three candidates from out-of-state who applied to replace Jim Christiansen, who retired as Alameda fire chief in March.

A total of 23 candidates applied, including one woman.

City Manager Debra Kurita cited Kapler's experience and "collaborative working style" as reasons why he was selected for the job, which pays about $195,000 annually.

The Alameda Fire Department has a $19 million budget.

After beginning his firefighting career 33 years ago in the city of Coronado — an "island" town like Alameda with strong U.S. Navy ties — Kapler was appointed a battalion chief in Daly City in 1983.

He has a bachelor's degree in business administration from St. Mary's College and a master's in public administration from Cal State East Bay.

He is divorced and has two teenage daughters, who live in Minnesota.

Kapler said he's still getting to know the men and women who work under him, along with others in the city.

"But I know that this is an excellent organization," Kapler said. "There's a strong culture here of service and of community participation. And I'm really pleased to be part of it."