The Hoodland Fire District’s board of directors placed Fire Chief John Ingrao
on administrative leave last month until an investigation can be completed.
Board chair Shirley Dueber noted there was no further comment on the
investigation or what prompted the decision, but stressed to the community
that the district will continue to serve the community without restrictions.

“Everything will run as normal,” Dueber said. “There will be absolutely nothing
for the community to worry about. The district is covered and will stay that
way; we have good crews and they know their job.”

Dueber added that the board hired Steven Abel to serve as Hoodland’s interim
fire chief, who will start April 1. Ingrao took over as the fire chief in January
2017 after serving as Deputy Chief since 2011.

Ingrao’s leave occurs when the district is in search of a new Deputy Chief,
thanks to a bond passed by voters last year to fund the position. Ingrao had
indicated he would retire at some point after the new Deputy Chief was
onboard. The search, which opened last November only to restart in February
after not enough applicants came forward, will now be delayed.

“I’m not sure of ramifications for deputy chief, but I think it will be on hold,”
Dueber said, noting that the district had received applicants.

Dueber added that the board is also currently grappling with a new budget
and is waiting for an audit report from the Special Districts Association of
Oregon, which was performed over the course of about a month and
examined all of the district’s responsibilities and activities.

“We’ve got all kinds of things on the table that need to be taken care of,”
Dueber said, noting that the audit was done because they want to “make sure
they were well covered in every department.”

Dueber added that the board also promoted Scott Kline to Battalion Chief last
month.