Sacramento Metro Fire Chief Resigns

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) – Sacramento Metro Fire District Chief Bill Sponable is stepping down, according the district board.

Chief Sponable made the announcement this morning along with the Board of Directors.

Sponable has been with Sac Metro Fire for 36 years.  He became chief in 2009 and saw the department through some difficult economic times.

"Chief Sponable's tenure as chief came during a critical time for Metro Fire, as the district has been forced to make difficult cuts in personnel and service to address a significant decline in property tax revenues," said said Directors President D'Elman Clark.

As Fire Chief, Sponable oversaw the closure of three fire stations and contract negotiations with fire fighters.

"My goal coming into this position in 2009 was to put the District on more sound financial footing, even as our revenue base has continued to erode," said Chief Sponable. "Although I am proud of what we have accomplished in this regard, the process of enacting difficult cuts in personnel costs has been extremely challenging and strained relationships to the point where I believe it is in the District's best interest that I step down as Fire Chief at this time."   

Chief Sponable will retire on April 1.  Deputy Chief Kurt Henke will serve as interim Fire Chief.