Berkeley Fire Chief Steps Down

BERKELEY, CA — Berkeley Fire Chief Abraham Roman is stepping down.

Roman will serve through June 24, a Berkeley Fire Department spokesman said.

Roman’s decision to step down after serving as fire chief for 14 months was first reported by Berkeleyside.

David Sprague, Berkeley’s deputy fire chief, will take over as interim chief starting June 25, according to the report.

Roman cited personal reasons for his decision, according to a memo obtained by Berkeleyside.

“It is with a heavy heart that I am announcing my retirement from the City of Berkeley,” he wrote in the memo. “This has been the most difficult decision I have made in my career as a Firefighter.”