Fire chief to retire to keep benefits, will become acting chief
By Peter Boylan
Advertiser Staff Writer
Attilio Leonardi, chief of the Honolulu Fire Department for the past five years, will resign Dec. 31, but stay on as acting chief to avoid a state retirement rule that would cost him benefits.
After 33 years of service, Leonardi's pension package peaked this year, meaning if he kept working in 2004, he would begin to incrementally lose money from his retirement pay each year that he continued to work, he said.
"If it wasn't for the retirement system, I wouldn't be retiring," Attilio Leonardi said.
Under an agreement made with the Honolulu Fire Commission, Leonardi will be technically retired, effective Dec. 31, but will continue working on an 89-day renewable contract. At the end of 89 days, the commission can vote to extend the contract or to allow Leonardi to retire.
Leonardi earns $110,200 a year, and oversees a department of 1,145 employees and a budget of $62 million.
"The last month has been very agonizing. Should I go, should I stay and lose money? Luckily, the commission gave me an option," he said. "If it wasn't for the retirement system, I wouldn't be retiring."
Firefighters are allowed to retire after a minimum of 25 years of service and a maximum of 32 years, Leonardi said.
Leonardi said there are two major projects that he wants to see completed before he officially retires. He said he has been working on the planned construction of the department's Kaka'ako headquarters for 15 years and wants to see the project through to its completion at the end of 2004.
Also next year, the department is up for reaccreditation, and Leonardi wants to ensure that the process goes smoothly.
"No matter what the law says, I shouldn't lose money to stay on the job; I have a responsibility to myself and my family," Leonardi said. "I'm too young to retire, I love my job, I'm not done with what I want to do."
He said he does not know how long the extended contracts will last, but doesn't see the situation carrying into 2005. Leonardi, 58, is married, and has four children and six grandchildren.
On April 9, 1998, Leonardi replaced Anthony Lopez as fire chief.
He was the first fire chief to be selected by the Honolulu Fire Commission, a panel aimed at removing politics from the selection process, which was created when voters approved a City Charter amendment in November 1996.
Previously, Honolulu's mayor picked the fire chief while the City Council had confirmation authority.
Leonardi served as a firefighter from 1971 to 1984; a fire captain from 1984 to 1990; a battalion chief in the Administrative Services Bureau from 1990 to 1992; assistant chief in the Administrative Services Bureau from 1992 to April 1995; and deputy fire chief from April 1995 to April 1998.
He earned a bachelor's degree in business management from Brigham Young University-Hawai'i in 1971; an associate's degree in fire science from Honolulu Community College in 1972; and a master's degree in public administration from the University of Hawai'i at Manoa in 1994.
Also yesterday, Mayor Jeremy Harris announced that Leonardi has been appointed by the White House to serve on the Defense Advisory Board for Employer Support of the National Guard and Reserve for a term of up to three years.
The board provides advice and leadership to the secretary of defense on policies that affect military reserve personnel who also have civilian careers.
Reach Peter Boylan at 535-8110 or pboylan@honoluluadvertiser.com.
