Eleven months after the previous chief announced his retirement, the Moraga-Orinda Fire District has finally named his replacement.

Randy Bradley, a former deputy fire chief in the Alameda County Fire Department, will succeed Pete Nowicki, the department announced Wednesday.

Officials who led the search said they were impressed by Bradley's background, experience and enthusiasm.

"He just seemed to stand out as a person who is most likely to meet the needs of the district at this particular moment," director Fred Weil said.

Bradley spent Thursday meeting staff members and working with Nowicki to start the leadership transition.

"I think it's a great fire district and I'm looking forward to leading the organization into the future, and I'm excited about the opportunity," he said.

Bradley was the fire chief at the Lawrence Livermore Fire Department before its consolidation with Alameda County. His involvement in developing fire policy in areas where homes and other structures meet undeveloped land was also a "big deal," director John Wyro said.

Weil and Wyro led the search process in conjunction with outside consultants. The job, which pays $189,000 plus benefits, drew 57 applicants, six of whom were interviewed by fire officials from other districts, community members and leaders and MOFD staff.

Although Nowicki announced his retirement in December and formally stepped down as chief at the end of January,

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guidelines for the search were not established until April and the job was not posted until July.

Immediately following his retirement, Nowicki was hired as interim chief on contract until his replacement could be found. He is paid $14,700 a month without benefits under that contract, which was extended twice and expires Nov. 19.

Wyro acknowledged the district would have preferred to move more quickly, but said the board also wanted to make sure the search was done carefully.

Having Nowicki temporarily remain as chief meant the district could take its time, Weil said.

"These processes always take longer than you might like," he said. "We had a capable chief in place. He was costing us less than a replacement chief on a full-time basis."

Firefighters are looking forward to working with Bradley, especially since their relationship with Nowicki was strained, said Vince Wells, president of International Association of Fire Fighters Local 1230.

"We're obviously glad that they finally made the decision," he said. "Eleven months is a long time, but I've heard good things about who they've hired and we're just looking forward to building a new, strong relationship with him."

Reach Jonathan Morales at 925-943-8048.