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After a distinguished 33-year career in the fire service, Ray Iverson, Chief of the Redwood City Fire Department, which also serves the City of San Carlos, has announced his retirement.
Chief Iverson, who joined Redwood City in June 2021, will officially retire in December of this year, but will continue to lead the department and focus on succession planning for now.
“Chief Iverson has been a dedicated servant to our community,” said City Manager Melissa Stevenson Diaz. “He is a strategic and creative leader who has helped us focus on continuous improvement and ensure we are prepared to meet the current and future needs of the community.”
The official acknowledged Iverson's efforts to expand hiring initiatives and support an inclusive culture in the department.
For his part, San Carlos City Manager Jeff Maltbie said, "Chief Iverson's dedication and leadership have strengthened our fire services and created lasting partnerships. We are deeply grateful for his contributions and wish him the best in his retirement."
The City of Redwood City noted that Chief Iverson has been instrumental in forging strong relationships with key stakeholders, securing millions of dollars in federal funding to hire new firefighters and purchase new equipment.
In the city's 2023-24 community satisfaction survey, more than 90 percent of respondents gave top marks to the city's fire services and 82 percent to its emergency medical services.
“I truly believe I have made my mark and can confidently say I am leaving this organization in a better place,” said Chief Iverson. “Over the past three years, I have had the privilege of hiring 29 firefighters, three fire officers and one fire chief, and promoting nine fire captains and two battalion chiefs. We have become one of the most diverse fire departments in the county.”
Throughout his career, Chief Iverson has served on numerous fire departments in Northern California.
His previous roles include Fire Chief for the San Mateo Consolidated Fire Department, Deputy Fire Chief/Marshal for the Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District, Battalion Chief/Fire Chief for the City of Benicia Fire Department, Fire Inspector for the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District and the City of Vacaville Fire Department, and Firefighter for the City of Union City, City of Vacaville, and American Canyon Fire Protection District.
Chief Iverson currently serves as President of the San Mateo County Fire Chiefs Association and President of the International Fire Service Foundation, and is an adjunct faculty member at City College of San Francisco. He is also a San Mateo Rotarian and serves as a board member for the San Mateo County Historical Association.
The city will begin an open selection process this fall, with the intention of appointing a new fire chief before Chief Iverson retires.
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