The chief of the Northwest Fire/Rescue District has taken a new job with a fire department just outside San Diego.
Northwest Fire Chief Jeff Piechura will move to Chula Vista to become the city's new fire chief after serving the Northwest Fire/Rescue District for about 24 years.
Piechura will oversee a staff of 117 employees and nine fire stations, and he will manage a $23 million budget, according to a city of Chula Vista news release.
Piechura began his firefighting career in 1979 when he joined Rural/Metro Fire Department in Maricopa County, the press release said.
He joined Northwest Fire as a captain in 1984 and became chief in 1991. Piechura was named Fire Chief of the Year in 2005 by the Arizona Fire Chiefs Association.
Piechura is expected to assume his new position in early November, the news release said.
