Jan 14, 2007

Change of command for Fire Protection District

By Janet Duca Norton / Society Columnist

The Menlo Park Fire Protection District presented a first-time Change of Command and Retirement Ceremony on Jan. 6 at Atherton's Holbrook Palmer Park Pavilion. At least 300 firefighters, guests and dignitaries attended the invitation-only formal event.

Retiring Chief Douglas Sporleder received accolades for his leadership of the district, which serves Atherton, East Palo Alto, Menlo Park and unincorporated areas of San Mateo County. Board of Directors president Oliver Brown described him as "a breath of fresh air; he made so many improvements in such a short time."

A third-generation firefighter, this was Sporleder's second retirement; he had been Santa Clara County Fire Department chief from 1980-2001.

"It's been an interesting 18 months," Sporleder said. "Everyone in Menlo Park wants to excel." He said the district has all the components needed for success: adequate funding, a collaborative labor/management policy, good public service and leadership, emphasizing innovation and cooperation.

Harold Schapelhouman received a warm welcome as the first chief to be selected from within the ranks in the past 21 years. He has made a five-year commitment and said his goal is to have inside candidates for all promotions.

Retired Menlo Park chief Vince Del Pozzo, who hired Schapelhouman in 1981, described him as not just having thought outside the box, but having "jumped out of the box" by initiating a Toys for Tots drive, restoring the old firetruck and for his innovative rescue maneuvers in the creek.

"It is a huge honor. I have lived a dream for 25 years," Schapelhouman said.
Dignitaries included Atherton Police Chief Bob Brennan, former Atherton mayor Charles Marsala, State Fire Marshal Ruben Grijalva and Los Angeles Fire Department Assistant Chief Rick Warford.

Fire service people came from around the Bay Area, including San Bruno Fire Chief Dan Voreyer and Fire Marshal George Devendorf, Berkeley Fire Chief Debra Pryor, San Jose Battalion Chief Jose Luna, Santa Clara Chief Phil Kleinheinz, and San Mateo County chiefs Douglas Fry (Belmont, San Carlos) and Gerald Kohlmann (Redwood City).

Susan Sporleder and Lada Schapelhouman led the applause for their husbands. Also offering congratulations were Tom Carter, Peter Carpenter, Dick and Donna Cesarin, Bill Peterson, Rex Ianson and his wife Cece.

Menlo Park Fire Protection District Chaplain Dominick Peloso said after his invocation that firefighting "is a dangerous business."

The fire service traces its origins to the 11th-century crusades when fire was introduced as a weapon of warfare. Knights of Malta threw their capes over fellow crusaders to extinguish their flaming clothing. These courageous knights were awarded the Maltese cross for bravery. The current official firefighter badge is a version of the Maltese cross, symbolizing the pledge to lay down one's life for a fellow firefighter.