Acting Fire Chief Takes Over Job For San Jose

SAN JOSE, CA -- San Jose Acting Fire Chief Robert Sapien Jr. has been appointed as the city's permanent chief effective immediately, city officials said today.

City Manager David Sykes appointed Sapien, who became acting chief last December when former Fire Chief Curtis Jacobson retired. Sapien has been with the San Jose Fire Department since 1989, and will oversee a department of 823 staff members who respond to about 91,000 calls annually, city officials said.

"Chief Sapien is a smart and capable leader, and I look forward to working closely with him to implement several key public safety initiatives," Mayor Sam Liccardo said in a statement.

--Bay City News/Image via Shutterstock