Calif. fire chief on paid leave during gas usage probe

By Phillip Matier and Andrew Ross
The San Francisco Chronicle

ALAMEDA, Calif. — David Kapler, Alameda's $195,702-a-year fire chief who had been filling up his BMW convertible on the city's dime, was placed on paid administrative leave Thursday.

Kapler, who has a $250-a-month car allowance in addition to his salary, said the free gas was part of the pay deal he cut with then-City Manager Debra Kurita when he signed on as chief in 2007.

However, city officials could find no written record of any such agreement.

Kapler was placed on leave Thursday morning, following a meeting a day earlier with Alameda's acting city manager, Ann Marie Gallant.

"It's a personnel matter," said Mayor Beverly Johnson, who declined further comment.

Deputy Chief Mike Fisher has been made acting chief of the department, which has about 86 firefighters.

Kapler said the move to place him on leave was "standard procedure" and that he welcomed plans for a formal investigation.

"This is what we do when there is an issue that needs clarification, especially when it's so public," Kapler said. "There are so many rumors floating out there that aren't true, and the only way to put them to rest is through a formal process, and that's what the city has decided to do. ... It's the right thing to do."

Dom Weaver, a spokesman for the firefighters union, also welcomed the news. The union has been at odds with Kapler over a new contract and voted "no confidence" in the chief last year.

"I'm glad the city is finally taking this seriously," Weaver said. "This has been out in the news media for three weeks, and it seemed like nothing was happening."

Kapler came under fire after disgruntled firefighters went public with a photograph of him tanking up his sports car at a firehouse pump. The chief said he also filled his Honda pickup with the city's gas.

Kapler said he used the BMW as well as his truck for official duties. Kurita, however, has said the free fuel was supposed to be only for the pickup, which is equipped with lights and siren, and not the sports car.

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