Hollister fire chief on paid administrative leave pending investigation

A Central Coast fire chief is being put on paid administrative leave as an internal investigations begins. On Monday night, we’re finding out details surrounding this decision by Hollister’s city manager.

Few details are being revealed at this point as to why Fire Chief Mike O’Connor is being investigated. But NewsChannel 5 is told he was officially put on paid administrative leave on Monday, and a captain will serve as the interim chief.

City council member Ray Friend said Chief O’Connor has been working in his current position over the past 10 months, but has been with the department for at least a decade. He said last week the city manager told each council member individually about the possibility of needing to put Chief O’Connor on paid leave and to work on this investigation himself.

City leaders said they don’t even know what allegations are being made against the chief – only that its a personnel matter. O’Connor also oversees San Benito County, where services were combined recently. Councilmember Friend says response times are down and service seems to be going well.

“Overtime is down, we’ve got commitment now from the county to build a third fire station in the north side out by the airport, so that’s gonna help with the north side responses,” said Hollister councilmember Ray Friend.

Councilmember Friend said Chief O’Connor has a big job, he covers calls for service from Gilroy all the way to Pinnacles. NewsChannel 5 tried reaching out to Chief O’Connor but hasn’t heard back yet.