Redlands Firefighters March on City Hall

By Jesse B. Gill

Staff Writer

REDLANDS - Thursday marked the last day of Jim Drabinski as the acting fire chief. His retirement became effective Friday.

Fire Department personnel gathered at Fifth Street at about 9 a.m. Thursday and marched west on Citrus Avenue to City Hall, led by bagpipes and Scottish drums. Once they reached City Hall, the firefighters thanked Drabinski for his leadership.

“This is just our show of respect and gratitude for a man who has worked so hard for us,” fire Capt. Terry Welsh said.

Drabinski has worked for the Redlands Fire Department since 1983.

“He has been an inspiration to us,” said Capt. Scott MacDonald. “He’s gone to great lengths to take care of us. He has always placed our safety as a priority.”

The firefighters wore their dress uniforms, and a color guard presented ceremonial firefighters’ axes to Drabinski and Deputy Chief Larry Egan, who is also retiring.

“This is overwhelming, to say the least,” Drabinski said after the firefighters marched on City Hall. “I feel very fortunate to say that I am a part of this family.”

To balance the city’s budget for the fiscal year that began Tuesday, City Manager N. Enrique Martinez called for major budget cuts in the public safety departments. Martinez told Police Chief Jim Bueermann to cut $660,000 from his budget and Drabinski to cut $680,000 from the Fire Department’s budget.

Drabinski proposed the retirement of Egan, Chief Fire Investigator Rich Lindner, training Battalion Chief Cameron Teter and Mitch McKee, an emergency medical service battalion chief.

Following his budget proposals, Drabinski announced his intention to retire.

A letter to the city manager, dated May 1 and signed by Drabinski said he intended to retire Dec. 1.

On June 13, Drabinski confirmed that his retirement date would be moved up to July 4.

On Monday, the city manager’s office announced that McKee would be the interim fire chief while a replacement is sought.

McKee said he could stay on as late as Oct. 1 during the search for a new fire chief.

City spokesman Carl Baker said the hiring process will involve a recruiting firm that will select outside candidates for the fire chief’s position, along with the interested parties in the Fire Department.

The applicants will be interviewed by panels of community leaders.

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