Experience
Mr. Kenley provides expert consulting services in the areas of labor relations and Fire Service Management. His experience includes labor relations, contract negotiations, training, and strategic and organizational planning in the delivery of fire and life safety services. He has testified as a fire management and operations expert in arbitration proceedings.
Some of Mr. Kenley’s recent accomplishments include:
- Successfully negotiating collective bargaining agreements on behalf of cities, counties, and special districts with safety and non-safety bargaining units
- Developing collective bargaining strategies and objectives in collaboration with senior policy makers and elected officials
- Participation in mediation efforts resulting in the successful settlement of outstanding contract disputes
- Testifying in interest arbitration proceedings concerning fire management and operational issues
- Conducting Management Audits of Municipal Fire agencies
- Serving as Interim Fire Chief for Municipal Fire agencies
- Developing and conducting Assessment Centers for promotional opportunities – Fire Captain, Fire Division Chief, Fire Chief
- Conducting Self-Assessment and Standards of Cover analysis of fire department operations
Related Experience
Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Kenley served as the Fire Chief for the cities of Brisbane and Lodi. He has more than forty years of fire service experience. He was the chair of curriculum development for the Management Series of the State Fire Marshal’s certification program, including a primary contribution in the development of the State of California Fire Chief Certification process. He continues to provide fire service analysis to several fire agencies through his own consulting organization, Swk and Associates, as well as an associate of Fireforce One.
Selected Presentations and Publications
- “Shared Administrative Services Analysis,” City of Davis/UC Davis (2013)
- “Management Audit of Davis Fire Department,” City of Davis (2012)
- “East Contra Costa County Fire Protection District Strategic Plan,” East Contra Costa County Fire Protection District (2006)
- “Operational Review & Strategic Plan,” North Tahoe Fire Protection District (2003)
- “Self-Assessment of the Lodi Fire Department,” City of Lodi (1999)
Certification and Memberships
- State of California Certified Fire Chief
- Life Member – California Fire Chief’s Association