Our Leadership Team
Meet the members of our leadership team below, including their roles, photos, and brief biographies.
Chief of Fire Department
James W. Wallace
The Chief of Fire Department James W. Wallace has the unique accountability and responsibility for directing, planning and reviewing the activities of more than 1600 uniformed personnel. The Fire Chief employs innovation, compassion as a genuine leader with a hands-on-approach and understands fire and emergency medical services, urban environments, and works well with the community in which he serves. The Fire Chief plans, organizes, directs programs related to the fire department activities including fire suppression, fire prevention, emergency medical services, arson investigations, fire prevention, communications and harbor protection. The Fire Chief directs all personnel activities of the department including the hiring, training, assignment, promoting and disciplining of subordinates. The Chief represents the department and participates in labor contract negotiations as a member of the City's negotiating team. Directs the review and inspection of work performance in all divisions of the department.
Additionally, the Fire Chief utilizes extensive knowledge of state and city codes as they apply to emergency management, fire prevention, code compliance, suppression, and emergency medical services to provide guidance and assistance to all departments, agencies, and organizations in developing operational plans and procedures. The Fire Chief is also tasked with developing long-range goals, objectives and strategic plans for the entire department.
Executive Assistant Fire Chief
Kensington W. White
The Executive Assistant Fire Chief Kensington W. White has the primary oversight and responsibility of managing five interdepartmental divisions and personnel. The following divisions are essential to the daily function and operations of the fire department and include Support Services & Community Risk Reduction, Safety & Risk Management, Fiscal, Fire Operations, Emergency Medical Services and the Office of Communications & Community Engagement. These divisions provide for the continuity of safe operations, community and public education awareness, life safety fire and emergency medical protection.
Assistant Chief of Operations
John F. Eid
The Assistant Chief of Operations John F. Eid leads and manages the operational activities of the fire department, including emergency response, firefighting, rescue operations and daily staffing. Additional responsibilities include oversight of 38 Fire Stations, 4 Shift Commanders, 35 Engine Companies, 17 Truck Companies, 1 Heavy Rescue, multiple Special Operations Units including Fire Boats. The Operations Chief also plays a pivotal role in strategic planning, resource management, and developing operational policies and procedures to ensure effective emergency response.
Assistant Chief of Community Risk Reduction
Dante P. Stewart
The Assistant Chief of Community Risk Reduction Dante P. Stewart oversees the work of four Shift Commanders and the Deputy Chief of Emergency Medical Services. Operations personnel work out of 39 neighborhood fire stations. These units include 7 Battalion Chiefs, 35 engine companies, 17 truck companies, 26 first-line medic units, 10 peak medic units, 1 heavy rescue, specialty units such as hazmat response units, special operations command units, mobile command vehicles, and various fireboats.
Assistant Chief of Emergency Medical Services
James U. Matz
Assistant Chief of Emergency Medical Services James U. Matz oversees the delivery of Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Life Support (ALS) treatment and transportation services, as well as monitors all emergency and non-emergency activities of the 30 first-line medic units staffed by EMTs and Paramedics and other EMS personnel. The position also oversees the emergency medical services division, encompassing the strategic planning and program implementation of policies and procedures, along with innovative programs such as population health and Mobile Integrated Health- Community Paramedicine (MIH-CP).