Redondo Beach Fire Chief Butler to retire
by Garth Meyer Redondo Beach Fire Chief Patrick Butler will retire Sept. 8 after four years with the department. Hired first as an interim chief, following 32 years with the LAFD, Butler was named the permanent Redondo Beach chief, later went through prostate cancer treatment last year and returned to the job. “The department’s in great shape. I’m ready to let the next generation of leaders take over the helm,” Butler said. “It’s been one of the greatest privileges of my career being the fire chief for Redondo Beach.” He cited local accomplishments such as obtaining new equipment, an expanded training program, re-instituting the harbor master job, adding a third boat to the Harbor Patrol and expanding its scope, starting a fire cadet program, and hiring 18 new firefighters and making 11 promotions. “Our community owes Chief Butler a tremendous debt of gratitude,” said City Councilman Zein Obagi, Jr. “Under his leadership, the department didn’t just maintain its standards, it raised them. He lifted morale and spirit within the department… and drove real, measurable improvements in our city’s fire class rating, response speed, and operational proficiency.” In preparation to retire…
Read this story on easyreadernews.com