Scotts Valley Patch: What is your occupation?
Mike McMurry: I am the fire chief of the Scotts Valley Fire Protection District. I started as a volunteer firefighter in 1977 and have worked here ever since.
Patch: Where were you born?
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McMurry: I was born in Santa Rosa, CA.
Patch: Where were you educated?
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McMurry: I studied at local schools, including Cabrillo College and Monterey Peninsula College. I am a certified fire officer, master fire instructor and state-certified chief fire officer.
Patch: How long have you lived in Scotts Valley?
McMurry: Since 1970. I grew up in Santa Rosa and moved to Scotts Valley when I was in middle school. My parents still live in the same house in Scotts Valley.
Patch: What brought you to the area?
McMurry: My dad worked for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection in Santa Rosa. When he was promoted and started working at the Alma Fire Station on Highway 17 in 1970, we moved to Scotts Valley.
Patch: What is something you are known for?
McMurry: My passion for the fire service, the community and trying to help people when they need it the most. I also enjoy participation in the Scotts Valley Rotary and the terrific work that they do locally and all over the world.
Patch: What is your latest project?
McMurry: I have been involved with the statewide association of fire districts (FDAC) and have been working as a representative on legislative and fire protection issues. It is both interesting and rewarding at the same time.
We also started a joint powers authority to provide health care for fire district employees cooperatively statewide. The purpose is to provide insurance for firefighters and their families at a reduced premium. Health care insurance has been a driver of high costs and this is an effort to contain those costs for the tax payers.
And through Rotary, we just completed the annual e-waste project, collecting about 45,000 pounds of old computers, TVs, monitors, cellphones, etc.
Patch: Book you last read?
McMurry: “Alex Cross’ Trial” by James Patterson.
Patch: Newspaper or magazine you read regularly?
McMurry: SV Patch, SV Banner, SC Sentinel.
Patch: Movie you could watch again and again?
McMurry: Raiders of the Lost Ark. I love the adventure of it.
Patch: Favorite thing to do in your spare time?
McMurry: I like to spend time with family and friends, go to baseball games and hike. We have a golden retriever, Bailey, who likes to play constantly.
Patch: What is one of your most gratifying accomplishments?
McMurry: On a personal level, my wife, Mary (my high school sweetheart), and I have been married for 32 years. Our daughter, Erin, is successful at working in education, and our son, Joey, has graduated high school with honors and is on his way to Oregon University. I consider their success as accomplishments for Mary and me.
Professionally, I am very proud of the team I work with, folks who care deeply about doing a good job for the community. Since the stakes are high, their performance often makes the positive difference in the outcome of a bad situation.
Implementation of the paramedic program, cooperative agreements for automatic and mutual aid, standardized operations including the countywide haz mat team, and building cooperation are some other examples.
Patch: What is your greatest indulgence?
McMurry: I enjoy good food and cooking.
Patch: One of your most memorable vacations?
McMurry: I love the outdoors and camping, hiking and fishing with family and friends. Some of my best memories are sitting around the campfire, laughing, telling stories and just hanging out.
Patch: What is a goal you are chasing after?
McMurry: I am planning on retiring from the fire district in the spring of 2012. Beyond that, I have goals to further my education, travel and see what’s next in life.
Patch: What do you like most about life in Scotts Valley?
McMurry: We are blessed to live in such a beautiful area with mountains, trees and the ocean, all within close proximity. Terrific people and a small-town atmosphere are the right combination to make this a wonderful place to live and work. People travel from all over the world to see what we enjoy every day.
