County fire chief, emergency management director resigns
- Roger Sims, Journal Staff
- 20 hours ago
- 2 min read
By Roger Sims, Journal staff
PLEASANTON – Linn County Fire Chief Randy Hegwald on Thursday, April 23, submitted his resignation in an email to Linn County Commissioners, sending a copy to fire officials, firefighters, and “leadership personnel” across the county. Sent at about 4 p.m., the email said his resignation would be effective as of 4:30 p.m.
Hegwald was also the Linn County emergency management director, and the letter included his resignation from that post as well.
“Serving in these roles has been a significant responsibility and privilege,” his letter said. “I am grateful for the opportunity to work alongside dedicated firefighters, emergency personnel, county officials, and community members committed to protecting and serving the residents of Linn County.
“I appreciate the support, trust, and cooperation extended to me during my tenure. I am proud of what we have accomplished together and remain confident in the continued success of both the Fire District and Emergency Management programs.
“Thank you for the opportunity to serve.”
Linn County Commission Chair Alison Hamilton said on Friday that she had received the letter and had spoken with County Counselor Jacklyn Paletta about her concerns about safety issues. She said she was particularly concerned about leadership with weather forecast calling for potentially violent storms expected to arrive in the area Thursday evening.
She said the three members of the county commission would not discuss the issue until its regular meeting on Monday, April 27.
Linda Simons, long-time assistant in the county’s Emergency Management Department, said on Friday that she had been appointed on an interim basis to oversee emergency management and had been on duty Thursday evening as the storm swept through the county.
Simons also said that Brian Shroyer, assistant fire chief under Hegwald, was acting fire chief until the county commission could respond to Hegwald’s departure.
Hegwald’s sudden departure was considered unusual and at least one fire official said it was likely a forced resignation.
At the county commission meeting on Monday, April 20, Hegwald discussed two issues with the commissioners: failure of some storm sirens to alert residents as a tornado ripped through the southern part of the county on April 13, and the report of a new ISO rating that would result in a downgrade and potentially higher property insurance premiums.
At the meeting, Hegwald said that he knew the results of the mid-summer inspection by the Insurance Services Office last fall. He also said that then commission chair Jim Johnson had received a letter about the rating downgrade in December. (See the Journal’s story about that discussion.)
Some area fire officials said that Hegwald’s sudden departure was suspicious and suggested that it might have been forced.
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