A disgruntled former Coastside firefighter is accused of challenging his acting chief to a fistfight at a May 15 meeting of the Half Moon Bay Fire Protection District board. The incident disrupted the public meeting, causing department officials to consider a restraining order against the veteran firefighter.
Dave Cornell announced at the meeting he was leaving the local fire department and took the opportunity to complain about the leadership abilities of acting Chief Paul Cole as well as plans to contract for services with CalFire, the state's firefighting arm.
Half Moon Bay Fire Protection District board member Lane Lees said when Cornell was done speaking he "called out" Cole and thrust his firefighting badge in the chief's face. Later Half Moon Bay police were called to the Main Street fire station to document the incident.
"We stopped the meeting," Lees said. "It was really bizarre."
Cornell acknowledges that he told Cole "you can find me any time, anywhere," but maintains it was not meant as a threat.
"I told the board members I was thoroughly disgusted," Cornell said Tuesday. "I stood in front of (Cole) and held my badge. I told him it stood for honor and integrity for many people, but to him the shield is just something to hide behind."
Cole could not be reached for comment. Half Moon Bay police say they are continuing to investigate whether the matter constitutes a challenge to a fight or disturbing an assembly, both misdemeanors.
Cornell, who had been a firefighter/paramedic for the department before his resignation, had been active in opposing plans for a contract with CalFire. A majority of members of both the Half Moon Bay and Point Montara fire protection district boards have been seeking to turn over daily operations of Coastside fire services to the state after damning reports from two former acting fire chiefs who detailed a range of serious problems within local firehouses.
In the letter he presented to the board that night, Cornell wrote, "If I stay, I fear I will wind up in jail for doing something stupid but well justified."
Cornell served in Afghanistan with a Special Forces detachment of the California National Guard. His words, combined with his military background, concerned members of the fire board.
Board member Jerry Donovan said the board's legal counsel suggested Cole seek a restraining order to keep Cornell away from the fire station. While no such order had been filed by Tuesday, Donovan and others said officials would do so soon.
Meanwhile, Capt. Jesse Basher of the California Army National Guard called Cornell "one of my guys" and said such an outburst would be completely uncharacteristic.
"Dave Cornell is a good soldier and a good American," Basher said. "He is just top-notch."
An online message board commonly used by firefighters indicated that Cornell has been hired by the San Rafael Fire Department. Calls to the chief there were not immediately returned. Cornell confirmed he had been hired by another department but declined to say where he worked.
Dave Cornell announced at the meeting he was leaving the local fire department and took the opportunity to complain about the leadership abilities of acting Chief Paul Cole as well as plans to contract for services with CalFire, the state's firefighting arm.
Half Moon Bay Fire Protection District board member Lane Lees said when Cornell was done speaking he "called out" Cole and thrust his firefighting badge in the chief's face. Later Half Moon Bay police were called to the Main Street fire station to document the incident.
"We stopped the meeting," Lees said. "It was really bizarre."
Cornell acknowledges that he told Cole "you can find me any time, anywhere," but maintains it was not meant as a threat.
"I told the board members I was thoroughly disgusted," Cornell said Tuesday. "I stood in front of (Cole) and held my badge. I told him it stood for honor and integrity for many people, but to him the shield is just something to hide behind."
Cole could not be reached for comment. Half Moon Bay police say they are continuing to investigate whether the matter constitutes a challenge to a fight or disturbing an assembly, both misdemeanors.
Cornell, who had been a firefighter/paramedic for the department before his resignation, had been active in opposing plans for a contract with CalFire. A majority of members of both the Half Moon Bay and Point Montara fire protection district boards have been seeking to turn over daily operations of Coastside fire services to the state after damning reports from two former acting fire chiefs who detailed a range of serious problems within local firehouses.
In the letter he presented to the board that night, Cornell wrote, "If I stay, I fear I will wind up in jail for doing something stupid but well justified."
Cornell served in Afghanistan with a Special Forces detachment of the California National Guard. His words, combined with his military background, concerned members of the fire board.
Board member Jerry Donovan said the board's legal counsel suggested Cole seek a restraining order to keep Cornell away from the fire station. While no such order had been filed by Tuesday, Donovan and others said officials would do so soon.
Meanwhile, Capt. Jesse Basher of the California Army National Guard called Cornell "one of my guys" and said such an outburst would be completely uncharacteristic.
"Dave Cornell is a good soldier and a good American," Basher said. "He is just top-notch."
An online message board commonly used by firefighters indicated that Cornell has been hired by the San Rafael Fire Department. Calls to the chief there were not immediately returned. Cornell confirmed he had been hired by another department but declined to say where he worked.
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