By Pamela Cruz. Peninsula 360 Press [P360P] / with information from Bay City News.
The Menlo Park Fire Protection District Board of Directors could appoint Mark Lorenzen as the district's next chief next week after the application is approved.
Lorenzen has nearly 31 years of service with the Ventura County Fire Department, where he served as chief for the past decade. He is scheduled to begin his service as fire chief of the Menlo Park Fire District in early February 2022.
The district board, at its Dec. 21 meeting, will also appoint an interim fire chief to serve until Lorenzen arrives, as the current interim chief, Mike Shaffer, will retire Dec. 30.
Officials in Ventura County, where Lorenzen still serves as fire chief, said earlier this month that he will retire early next year.
"When I joined the Ventura County Fire Department as an apprentice firefighter 31 years ago, I couldn't have imagined becoming chief. Since then I have been fortunate to work with so many good people who care deeply about public service and our community," Lorenzen said in a recent statement.
"I'm working to figure out what's next," the official said in an interview after it was announced that he is ending his employment with Ventura County. However, he said he does not plan to retire completely.
The Menlo Park Fire Protection District covers in addition to this area, East Palo Alto, Atherton and some unincorporated areas of San Mateo County.
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