Robert Logan selected to become San Diego's next fire chief

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — The city of San Diego has its next fire chief.

On Wednesday, Mayor Todd Gloria announced his choice to take over the top role of the San Diego Fire Department once Fire Chief Colin Stowell retires at the end of the summer.

SDFD Deputy Chief Robert Logan II, who currently oversees the department's employee services, was chosen as his predecessor following a three-month nationwide search. City officials say he was selected from a group of 70 applicants.

According to city officials, a confirmation hearing for Logan's appointment will take place in July. If the San Diego City Council approves the choice, the deputy chief will take over when Stowell resigns after six years in the role and 36 years with the department in August.

“I am deeply honored and grateful to have been appointed by Mayor Gloria as our city’s next fire chief,” Logan said.

“Growing up, I faced many challenges that shaped my determination, my resilience, my commitment to service and my deep understanding of the needs and realities of our community,” he continued. “I look forward to leading our dedicated Fire and Rescue team with integrity and compassion, and ensuring they remain a pillar of safety, support and unity for all San Diegans.”

A lifelong San Diegan who grew up in Council District 4, Logan has worked at SDFD for more than two decades, starting as an emergency medical technician in 1999 before becoming a firefighter in 2000 and working his way up to become deputy fire chief.

Prior to his current position as deputy, he served as deputy chief of the fire department's Special Operations, which includes Air Operations, Metro Arson Team and Incident Response Team dangerous, according to the city.

Logan has a strong reputation for team building, fostering positive community-government relations and championing efforts to promote diversity, equity and inclusion, officials said. the city.

Among his efforts to achieve these goals included co-founding the Lincoln High School Fire Protection Program, an academic program designed to introduce students to potential careers in the fire service, and establishing 'a California Firefighter Joint Apprenticeship Committee pre-apprenticeship EMT program in the county.

He is also an active member of “Women In Fire”, a national organization that aims to empower women in the fields of fire and emergency services through training, advocacy and networking.

According to city officials, Logan holds a bachelor of arts degree in communications from Southern New Hampshire University, a master's degree in emergency services management from Columbia Southern University and certification executive fire chief.

“Deputy Chief Logan has risen through the ranks of our department and demonstrated not only a deep understanding of the complexities of fire rescue operations, but also a deep commitment to our community and the well-being of our rescue employees in case of fire,” Gloria said. “I am confident that under his leadership, the Department will be well served, the City will be well served and we will be able to innovate and excel in providing emergency response services.”