Copperopolis Fire Chief Steve Kovacs appointed by Gov Brown to California State Board of Fire Services

Steve Kovacs, 46, of Murphys, has been appointed to the California State Board of Fire Services. Kovacs has been fire chief at the Copperopolis Fire Protection District since 2012, at the Murphys Fire Protection District since 2006 and owner of Professional Management Associates since 1989. He held multiple positions at the Ebbetts Pass Fire District from 1981 to 2012, including battalion chief, shift commander, captain, emergency medical services coordinator, engineer, firefighter and volunteer. Kovacs is a member of the Fire Districts Association of California. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Kovacs is a Republican.

The Changing of Chiefs at Copper FIre

After CFPD interim Chief Jeff Millar announced that he would be leaving CFPD due to the newly penned assembly bill reducing the amount of hours a retired Calpers employee could work, a search was conducted for a new fire chief.

After the Board of Directors meeting, held 6-14-12, it was announced the search had ended as the Board had selected 30 year firefighting veteran Steve Kovacs.  Kovacs assumed the position of full time CFPD Chief July 1, 2012. Outgoing Chief Millar will continue to serve CFPD in a volunteer capacity.

 Chief Millar welcomes Chief Kovac aboard

 Chief Steve Kovacs

CFPD Press Release re:New Fire Chief

Press Release

For Immediate Release – June 15, 2012

Steve Kovacs to be the Next Chief of the Copperopolis Fire Protection District

The Copperopolis Fire Protection District is proud to announce the hiring of Steve Kovacs as their new Fire Chief, effective July 1, 2012.  He will replace interim Chief Jeff Millar.  Board President John Maness announced today “We are extremely pleased to appoint Steve Kovacs as our new Fire Chief.  He is exceptionally well qualified to lead this organization into the future, having over 30 years of experience in many aspects of the fire service. We, as a Board are looking forward to working with Chief Kovacs and appreciate his leadership capabilities and his ability to create collaborative relationships to assist the district with its future challenges.”  With this development, the recruitment process opened by the Board earlier this year has been cancelled.