Fire District Hires New Division Chief

The Menlo Park Fire Protection District announced Wednesday that the search for a new Division Chief is over; Manny Navarro got the job.

Navarro will be working directly with , handling the day-to-day operations of the Fire Protection District’s seven stations, which has 100 personnel, according to the fire chief.

“We’re happy to have Manny back in California and honored to have him as part of our team," Chief Schapelhouman said. 

In 2011, Navarro was the National Vice President of Emergency Medical Systems Deployment for the American Medical Response Ambulance Company.   

Prior to that, he spent 14 years as Fire Chief for the Colorado Springs Fire Department, managing 20 fire stations that had a staff of 508 people within 27 fire companies and an annual budget of $53 million. 

He started his career as a firefighter in Oakland. While he was there, he managed major rescue operations during emergencies such as the 1999 Loma Prieta Earthquake, the Highway 880 Freeway collapse, and The Oakland Hills Fire Storm in 1991.

”His extensive experience, command presence, tactical abilities and people skills will be an asset to our community," said Chief Schapelhouman. "He always places the community first and has a deep respect for our profession and firefighters." 

The Menlo Park Fire Protection District provides emergency services to Menlo Park, Atherton, East Palo Alto and some sections of unincorporated San Mateo County.

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