Scotts Valley Fire Protection District has hired Daniel J. Grebil, of Ukiah, as the successor to longtime chief Mike McMurry, who is set to retire at the end of March.
Grebil comes from Mendocino County, where he has served as chief of Ukiah Valley Fire District since November 1995. The Ukiah district has seven career and 30 volunteer firefighters and protects 80 square miles, including a population of 13,000. The Scotts Valley district, by comparison, covers 22 square miles and serves 18,600 people.
Grebil’s first day is April 1.
Board chair Jane Armstrong touted Grebil’s capabilities working with budgets as well as his ability to work with fire staff and an elected board.
“I’m just thrilled,” Armstrong said. “I think that replacing Chief McMurry was an extremely difficult task. But I think we’ve come as close as possible.”
Scotts Valley’s gain seems to be Ukiah’s loss.
“Chief Grebil is … very dedicated, very hardworking, very conscientious and has built an excellent reputation (here),” said Mendocino County Supervisor John McCowen. “I’m sure he’ll do well (in Scotts Valley). It’ll be tough shoes to fill, I’m sure.”
Grebil said he was drawn to Scotts Valley because his qualifications matched what the district needed, including experience working with budgets and identifying funding during a time of declining revenue.
He said he was excited to begin working with Scotts Valley’s staff, the majority of which works full time. He will manage 27 full-time crew members, in addition to 14 paid-call firefighters.
Grebil said his first task would be to get to know Scotts Valley.
“I’m really coming in to learn the culture and learn the organization before offering any changes,” he said.
Grebil agreed to a five-year contract with the district that runs through March 2017. His salary will be $142,000 per year, with paid medical, dental and life insurance, along with retirement through the California Public Employees Retirement System.
Grebil plans to move to the Scotts Valley area with his wife of 27 years, Lynne. They have three grown sons, Matthew, Nathan and Andrew. Grebil said his family enjoys camping, but added that he is committed, first and foremost, to being a fire chief.
After beginning his career as a volunteer firefighter in Tracy in 1980, Grebil moved up through Tracy Fire Department’s professional ranks to battalion chief before moving to Mendecino.
Grebil also taught a fire course at Mendocino-Lake Community College District, served as interim fire chief for the city of Ukiah and was an emergency command center officer for Cal Fire, among other appointments and positions. He is the fire and rescue coordinator for Mendocino County under the governor’s office.
