By Macy Meinhardt, Voice & Viewpoint Staff Writer
“Today I am pleased to present to the San Diego City Council my appointment to be our next Fire Chief for the City of San Diego: Deputy Chief Robert Logan,” said Mayor Todd Gloria.
Cheers and auditory celebration broke out in council chambers on July 15 as Mayor Gloria presented Robert Logan, a Southeastern born and raised fire deputy, as the new Fire-Rescue Chief for San Diego Fire Department—receiving a unanimous vote by council.
Logan is the first Black fire chief to serve in the City of San Diego in over two decades. With over twenty-four years of service at the San Diego Fire Department under his belt, “Logan truly understands our community and is dedicated to serving it with an open mind, integrity and excellence,” Mayor Gloria says.
During his appointment, Logan addressed the council and the community with personal remarks on his journey to this seat. ”I can assure you the road to this moment has not been easy,” said Logan.
“I grew up in a system with no path to success for youth like me,” Logan said.
Growing up in Lincoln Park, Logan described how he was a child of a single teen mom, who struggled with “many of the major issues that we face in the fire service today—drug addiction, poverty, and homelessness.”
“Despite the overwhelming road blocks I faced, I developed resilience, resolve, a commitment for service, and a true understanding of the community’s diverse needs and realities,” Logan shared, highlighting the qualities that have forged his suitability into this role.
Logan’s position will start on Aug. 24 following the retirement of Fire-Rescue Chief Colin Stowell.
Logan says he intends to develop a workforce that is representative of “all people” regardless of color, creed, gender, and sexual orientation into the workforce.
He also says he wants to practice transparency and collaboration in the spirit of honesty, equity, and justice, in order to earn the communities “trust and support.”
“Only through this open collaboration with the community can we truly understand their evolving realities and then work together to meet those unique needs,” Logan shared.
The recruitment for this position started over a year ago, and included the input from the public through community forums at Martin Luther Recreation Center and Kearny Mesa Recreation Center. The City of San Diego also hosted an online survey with over 180 responses received, ranging from questions related to “what do you want to see in your next fire-chief?” as well as demographics.
“This is about all of us,” said Logan.
Don’t miss a special interview with Robert Logan will appear on Voice & Viewpoint publisher, John Warren’s, radio show this Wednesday at 7:00 p.m.
