New San Mateo Consolidated Fire Chief Named

Current Deputy Fire Chief Ray Iverson to Oversee Department

San Mateo, CA – Ray Iverson, Deputy Fire Chief of the San Mateo Consolidated Fire Department, will assume the position of Fire Chief on December 27, 2019, upon the retirement of Chief John Healy. Iverson was chosen by the San Mateo Consolidated Fire Department Board, which is comprised of council members from the three cities the agency serves.

Deputy Chief Iverson will be charged with continuing to lead the new fire department into its second year. San Mateo Consolidated Fire commenced operations on January 13, 2019 and was formed by the establishment of a Joint Powers Authority (JPA) that represents the merger of departments in San Mateo, Foster City and Belmont. The new department – comprised of nine stations and 154 full-time employees – has over 260 years of combined history providing emergency services in the three communities.

“Thank you for the opportunity to serve in this capacity. I have dedicated the last 28 years of my life serving as a fire service professional. I owe all of my accomplishments to the members of this agency, none of us could be where we are today without each other,” Iverson said. “Some people say, that a team is only as strong as its weakest link. I would like to think that a team is as strong as the total sum of its parts. The members of this organization are strong, and I am happy to be amongst such great leaders. I am looking forward to serving for many years to come.”

Iverson joined the San Mateo Fire Department in 2015 as a Deputy Fire Marshal. In 2017 he was assigned to acting Fire Marshal, and in 2018 was promoted to Deputy Chief. During his tenure as Deputy Chief, he has managed the day-to-day operations of the Community Risk Reduction Division, overseeing the Bureau of Fire Protection and Life Safety, the Office of Emergency Services, and Fleet and Facilities Management.

Prior to his service in San Mateo, Iverson previously worked as a Fire Service Manager in the private sector. He also has an extensive background in fire service from various departments throughout Northern California which include serving as Assistant Chief/Fire Marshal for Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District; Fire Marshal with City of Benicia Fire Department; Fire Inspector with Contra Costa County Fire Protection District & City of Vacaville; and as a Firefighter with City of Union City, City of Vacaville and American Canyon Fire Protection District.

Iverson holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Fire Administration and is currently pursuing Master of Public Administration Degree with a concentration in Emergency Services Management, both from Columbia Southern University. He also has an Associate of Fire Technology degree from Solano Community College. He is a State Certified Chief Officer, making him highly qualified to assume the leadership of the department.

Iverson has served in numerous service, academic, and leadership roles, including as President for International Fire Service Foundation, Adjunct Faculty for City College of San Francisco, and as Sergeant at Arms of the Rotary Club of San Mateo. Iverson was born in Oakland, grew up in Oakland and Vallejo and is currently a San Mateo resident.

“Chief Iverson is the right person for the job, he’s well positioned to lead our organization well into the future. I love his commitment to his team, and his skills as a leader to help everyone improve in their careers,” said Fire Board Chair Joe Goethals, a member of the San Mateo City Council. “Between his experience and passion for service, Chief Iverson will help ensure we maintain the highest level of service to our communities. He’s not just our fire chief, he’s a member of our community.”