San Mateo, Foster City Select New Fire Chief

The city of San Mateo has announced the new fire chief for the San Mateo-Foster City Fire Department will be Michael Keefe.

Keefe, the Deputy Fire Chief for the joint fire department, will assume the position on July 1, upon .

"I am extremely pleased to appoint Mike Keefe as Fire Chief," San Mateo City Manager Susan Loftus said Monday.

"He is exceptionally well qualified to lead the San Mateo-Foster City Fire Department, having over 25 years of experience in fire service. Those who have worked with Mike during his tenure have come to know his integrity, dedication to public service, and his ability to develop and maintain good relationships," she said.

Jim Hardy, City Manager of Foster City, said he is "looking forward to working with Mike Keefe as the new Fire Chief and has appreciated his leadership capabilities and collaborative skills demonstrated during his tenure as the Deputy Fire Chief assigned to Foster City."

The Cities of San Mateo and Foster City embarked on an endeavor to share fire services in 2010 as a way of delivering important public safety services at a reduced cost. The two agencies are natural partnersfor shared fire services given their geographic proximity and a long history of working together.

Loftus will provide overall supervision of Fire Chief Keefe, who will also report to Foster City Manager Jim Hardy to represent both cities for full-service emergency response services.

Keefe will be charged with continuing to implement and evaluate the strategic shared services model.

"I am honored to serve as the Fire Chief for the cities of Foster City and San Mateo," Keefe said.

"The professionalism and dedication to the community that our Firefighters and Fire Officers provide is second to none. I am very fortunate to be able to work with an amazing group of individuals from our administration staff, line fire personnel and other department managers. I want to thank both City Manager Susan Loftus and City Manager Jim Hardy for my appointment, along with the City Council Members of San Mateo and Foster City for their support. I look forward to carrying on the strong legacy of community service, commitment, professionalism, and integrity that Chief Belville and those before him have instilled in both organizations."

Keefe joined the San Mateo Fire Department in 1986 as a Firefighter/Engineer. In 1994 he was promoted to Fire Captain, and in 2008 was promoted to Battalion Chief.

In 2011 he was appointed to serve as the Deputy Fire Chief for the Cities of San Mateo and Foster City. During his tenure as Deputy Chief, he has managed the day-to-day operations of the Foster City Fire Department.

Keefe holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Saint Mary’s College California as well as an Associate’s Degree in Fire Science from the College of San Mateo. He is a State Certified Chief Officer.

Keefe has been very involved in the Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation, having served as President of the San Francisco Chapter from 1987-1994. Keefe has also served as a statewide executive board member for the Foundation, developing policy, implementing new chapters, fundraising and conducting public education.