Apple Valley Fire Chief Ken Harrison quits after less than a year, cites 'difference of philosophies'

Less than a year after being named the head of the Apple Valley Fire Protection District, Fire Chief Ken Harrison has tendered his resignation, citing philosophical differences with district overseers and cultural issues.

During a special meeting on Wednesday night, the AV Fire Board accepted Harrison’s resignation, which was effective immediately, said Board Director Sid Hultquist.

Harrison’s resignation came after the board met in closed session during a special meeting on June 4 and discussed Harrison's performance. When they emerged, they placed the fire captain on paid non-disciplinary administrative leave.

Hultquist said Harrison’s leave was part of the standard probation evaluation protocol process, which was initiated by the board when they discovered that the fire chief was considering resigning. “It’s just best for everyone to stop, discuss and evaluate intentions before moving forward,” Hultquist said. “I think Ken and the board were successful in doing that.”

This week, Harrison offered few details on why he was stepping down, but said at the heart of it was “a difference of philosophies” between him and the district, which includes “priorities, leadership styles and management.”

“It came to the point where I had to make a decision,” Harrison said. “If we can’t agree on some issues, then it's best to part ways.”

The 56-year-old Harrison, who is marking his 30th year in fire service, told the Daily Press that the district’s success comes from its employees.

“There are a lot of outstanding people here and I appreciate every one of them,” Harrison said. “Leaving them is probably the hardest thing about resigning.”

While Harrison doled out praise to firefighters and colleagues, he also claimed an “underlying culture” shrouded the fire district, which “does not work for the best interest of the community.”

Hultquist, a former AVFPD chief, said: “Ken will be moving on and we wish him the best of luck in his endeavors. We thank him for his service and for the amount of time that he was here in Apple Valley.”

Before the board went into a closed session to discuss Harrison’s resignation, the fire chief spoke publicly about a previous year of district accomplishments and his optimism for what lies ahead for them. Harrison’s summary included a new three-year contract, which makes the district firefighters one of the highest-paid in the High Desert.

Harrison also mentioned the purchase of new firefighting equipment, one that was 100% funded by a grant program. Also, the increase in vehicle health care capabilities, promotion of firefighters, the increase in staff and a reduction in overtime.

The resignation agreement

In the resignation agreement, signed by Harrison and Board President Dan Leary, the district will pay the former chief just over $10,400 in employee accrued and unused sick leave.

The document states that if Harrison revoked his acceptance of the agreement, he would be deemed terminated according to his probationary status effective that day.

The district also agreed to provide Harrison with a positive letter of reference no later than June 15.

“My wife, Suzanne, and I will probably take some time off, probably in the form of one or two vacations,” Harrison said. “When we come back, I’ll look over a few fire service-related offers presented to me.”

Serving as interim fire chief is Buddy Peratt, who previously served the fire district in that capacity, according to Hultquist, who said the district will start the recruitment process for a new fire chief.

Harrison came from Orange County

After decades of working for the Orange County Fire Authority's “big machine,” with its 1,400 firefighters, 11 battalions and 77 fire stations, Harrison decided it was time to move to a smaller department, he told the Daily Press last June when he became chief in Apple Valley.

“The Orange County Fire Authority is so big that you don’t get the opportunity to know the people you work with and the community you serve,” Harrison told the Daily Press in 2021. “I want to spend the next five to 10 years building relationships in-house and throughout Apple Valley.”

Harrison said over the years, he became familiar with the AVFPD and found its firefighters, risk reduction program, wildland fuels management, inspection and support personnel to be some of the finest he had ever seen.

Hultquist said during the application process he and the board believed that Harrison was the perfect fit. “He has plenty of experience, is highly intelligent and he’s a guy that’s driven by relationships and getting out into the community,” Hultquist said at the time.

Harrison replaced Fire Chief Lorenzo Gigliotti, who retired and relocated to Missouri.

Before coming to Apple Valley, Harrison spent 25 years with the OCFA, with his last assignment a nearly eight-year stint as battalion chief and aircraft rescue and firefighting program manager for the City of Irvine and John Wayne Airport in Santa Ana.

During his career, Harrison served as fire captain, paramedic administrative fire captain, and coordinator for the Wellness and Fitness program and Firefighter Academy Cadre.

Harrison also served on several California fire departments, including the OCFA, Carlsbad Fire Department, Tahoe-Douglas Fire Protection District and Riverside City Fire Department.

Daily Press reporter Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at 760-951-6227 or RDeLaCruz@VVDailyPress.com. Follow him on Twitter @DP_ReneDeLaCruz.

This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Apple Valley Fire Chief Harrison quits, cites philosophical differences