By Macy Meinhardt, Voice & Viewpoint Staff Writer
On June 12 Mayor Todd Gloria announced the new Chief of San Diego Fire-Rescue Department, Robert Logan II.
“I look forward to leading our dedicated Fire-Rescue Department team with integrity and compassion, and ensuring it remains a pillar of safety, support, and unity for all San Diegan,” Logan said in a statement on his appointment.
Logan was appointed the chief position by Mayor Todd Gloria after a three month nationwide recruitment process that yielded a candidate pool of over 70 applicants.
“Deputy Chief Logan brings with him an exceptional blend of experience, leadership and vision that I believe is essential for guiding our department into the future,” said Mayor Gloria at the June 12 press conference.
Logan has worked with the San Diego fire-rescue department for 24 years, serving as fire engineer, fire captain, Battalion Chief, and currently, Deputy Fire Chief. Logan’s position will start in August once current Chief Colin Stowell retires, where he will oversee the 1,200-plus San Diego Fire Rescue workforce.
In this upcoming role he states he looks forward to advanced training, community engagement, and integration of modern best practices and technology to enhance emergency service responses.
His appointment marks a new chapter for the department, the Mayor says. Logan is the third Black fire chief to serve in the City of San Diego since 1889 and the first in over two decades. John Delotch was the first in 1985, followed directly behind Robert E. Osby in 1992. Growing up in Southeastern San Diego, Logan says he faced adversity in almost every corner of life.
“I faced challenges and obstacles up on every door I tried to open as a young child, as an adolescent, and as an adult,” Logan said.
“I cannot help but think of four-year old Robert Logan, who used to sit in the window and watch fire trucks go back and forth with lights and sirens. I’ve never forgotten the impact of those moments as they pertain to all like me who look out the window of opportunity,” Logan shared.
Logan graduated from San Diego Unified and earned his Bachelors of Arts in Communication from Southern New Hampshire University, and his Masters Degree in Emergency Services Management from Columbia Southern University.
In addition to his service to the fire department, Logan is also the co-founder of Lincoln’s High School Fire Protection Program, a hands-on learning program that prepares students to enter into a career of fire service.
Mayor Gloria said that in the selection process, a candidate who held dedication to values of diversity, equity, and inclusion was a strong expectation for the role.
“The expectation is to recognize that for some communities, they dont always feel like they’ve gotten their fair share of resources. I let it be abundantly clear from the jump, that whoever is going to run this department understands the city’s values of diversity and that we serve all neighborhoods equally,” the Mayor said.
With home roots in the community and his demonstrated work within the department, the selection of an internal candidate was the right choice towards “continuing the tradition of exceptional fire department,” the mayor says.
District 4 Councilmember Henry Foster and District 5 Councilmember Marni Von-Wilpert both attended the press conference in support of Logan’s appointment. The rest of the City Council is expected to vote on his confirmation mid-July.
“Together, we will confront challenges with resilience, embrace opportunities with enthusiasm and continue to uphold a noble legacy of our profession. I would like to make it clear that this moment is not about me. This moment is about all of us. Now let’s get to work,” Logan concluded.
