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Mostly Cloudy City of Long Beach reappoints fire commissioner
Kerr tapped for post after bitter departure in 2006
Michael Kerr, the city’s former fire commissioner — who resigned in 2006 amid scrutiny of his personal pension reports — was reappointed to the position on Aug. 28.
Kerr, the president of the Long Beach Chamber of Commerce, replaces Scott Kemins, the city’s building commissioner, who is now serving as deputy fire commissioner. Kerr will oversee the administrative operations of the department, which has an annual budget of $4 million and consists of 25 professional firefighters and more than 150 volunteers.
Kerr will be responsible for signing off on the city’s contract with the Uniformed Firefighters’ Association, the union that represents the paid firefighters, approving all new members, and other administrative functions.
Kerr and City Manager Jack Schnirman said that the appointment comes as the city attempts to generate more revenue and to improve the operation and the structure of the Fire Department. “We’re looking at ways we can generate recurring revenue to help offset the expenses of the Fire Department, including ambulance billings,” Kerr said.
Schnirman said that he wanted a “fresh set of experienced eyes.” He said that during Kerr’s previous stint as commissioner, from 1998 to 2006, Kerr implemented numerous improvements in the department, securing grant funding to upgrade its radio systems, bringing the department’s breathing apparatuses up to National Fire Protection standards and improving the city’s ambulance services.
“He comes from the business community, and would serve as an independent voice, helping the city to streamline operations in this time of fiscal crisis,” Schnirman said.
Kerr is a 47-year member of the department and a former chief and volunteer firefighter. In 2006, however, he resigned as commissioner after then City Manager John Laffey launched an investigation into Kerr’s participation in the Length of Service Award Program, or LOSAP, which provides a token pension of $20 per month per year served to volunteer firefighters with more than 20 years of active service.
