Metro Fire Announces Leadership Change

The Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District this morning announced that Fire Chief Bill Sponable is stepping down after 36 years of service to the district, effective April 1.

The announcement was made this morning at Metro Fire headquarters by Sponable, board of directors president D’Elman Clark and board secretary Matt Kelly. 

“The district deeply appreciates Chief Sponable’s long tenure of service to the citizens we serve,” Clark said in a released statement. “Chief Sponable’s tenure as chief came during a critical time for Metro Fire, as the district has been forced to make difficult cuts in personnel and service to address a significant decline in property tax revenues.  His efforts have been instrumental during these difficult economic times to make necessary reductions, including a pending agreement for significant contract concessions from our rank and file firefighters.”

Sponable’s service spans more than three decades. He began as a dispatcher with the Citrus Heights Fire District and worked his way through the ranks to serve as Metro Fire’s chief financial officer and as the district’s fire chief in 2009, district officials said. As fire chief, he oversaw the closure of three fire stations in response to the decline in revenue. In addition, he led efforts to enhance service through the addition of paramedics to engine companies and create long-term budget savings through the replacement of facilities and apparatus. 

“My goal coming into this position in 2009 was to put the district on more sound financial footing, even as our revenue base has continued to erode,” Sponable said in a released statement. “Although I am proud of what we have accomplished in this regard, the process of enacting difficult cuts in personnel costs has been extremely challenging and strained relationships to the point where I believe it is in the district’s best interest that I step down as fire chief at this time.”   

Per the separation agreement with the Board, Sponable will retire effective April 1. He will consult with district management for a period necessary to ensure a smooth transition. The fire chief’s duties will be assumed on an interim basis by Dep. Chief Kurt Henke until the board determines its process for a permanent replacement.

“District leadership is in agreement that now is the right time to make this transition and look toward the future,” Kelly said. “Although additional challenges lay ahead, Chief Sponable has helped to set us on the right course and we have every confidence that Deputy Chief Henke and staff will serve the board well in managing the organization and maximizing the service to the communities we serve.”