SAN DIEGO (KGTV) -- The San Diego Fire-Rescue Department has a new chief, San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer announced Monday.
Colin Stowell will become the department's new chief after a confirmation hearing. Stowell is a veteran of the department and has served in every rank in the department, including Assistant Chief after starting his career with SDFD in 1988.
The announcement was made just months after former Chief Brian Fennessy, a 28-year veteran of the department, announced that he was leaving.
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“Chief Stowell was born and raised here in San Diego and spent the majority of his firefighting career protecting our neighborhoods and our residents,” Mayor Faulconer said. “He has the right experience at the right time to continue the major investments we’re making in public safety and lead this department into the future. It’s great to bring Chief Stowell back to SDFD where it all started.”
After leaving the department in 2018, Stowell became chief of Heartland Fire and Rescue, which serves the cities of E Cajon, La Mesa and Lemon Grove.
Stowell succeeds Kevin Ester, who served as Interim Chief since April when Fennessy left the department. Stowell’s confirmation hearing is expected to be held later this month.
