Following an extensive three-month search, community vetting, and interview process, Mayor Todd Gloria announced today his appointment of current Deputy Fire Chief Robert Logan II to serve as the next Fire-Rescue Chief for the City of San Diego.  

“Over his 24 years of service, Deputy Chief Logan has risen through the ranks of our department and demonstrated not only a profound understanding of the complexities of fire-rescue operations, but also a deep commitment to our community and the welfare of our Fire-Rescue employees,” said Mayor Todd Gloria. “I am confident that under his leadership, the Department will be well-served, the City will be well-served, and we will be able to innovate and excel in providing emergency response services to our residents and visitors alike.”   

Logan, a lifelong San Diegan who grew up in Council District 4, is the current Deputy Fire Chief overseeing Employee Services. In this role, he supervises and manages six divisions within the Fire-Rescue Department, including recruitment, health and safety, community outreach, professional standards, and training. Prior to this post, he served as the Deputy Fire Chief overseeing Special Operations, which includes air operations, the Metro Arson Strike Team, the Hazardous Incident Response Team (HazMat), and the Special Events/Emergency Management team.   

Logan has over 24 years of experience with the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department, beginning his career as an Emergency Medical Technician in 1999 then moving to become a Firefighter in 2000. He has risen through the ranks of the Department since that time becoming a Fire Engineer, Fire Captain, Battalion Chief, and now Deputy Fire Chief.  

“I am deeply honored and grateful to be appointed by Mayor Gloria to be our city’s next Fire Chief,” said Deputy Fire Chief Robert Logan. “Growing up, I faced numerous challenges that shaped my resolve, resilience, commitment to service, and a profound understanding of our community’s needs and realities. 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 Diegans.”  

Throughout his time in the Department, Logan has built a strong reputation of team building, fostering positive community-government relations, and championing efforts to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion. 

He is the co-founder of Lincoln High School’s Fire Protection Program – an innovative academic program designed to introduce students at the high school to a potential career in the fire service and the only such program in the San Diego Unified School District. He is an active member of “Women In Fire” – a national organization dedicated to empowering women in the fire and emergency services field through training, advocacy, and networking. He also led the way to bring the first California Firefighter Joint Apprenticeship Committee Pre-Apprenticeship EMT program to San Diego County, which takes place in Southeastern San Diego.  

Deputy Chief Logan earned his Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Southern New Hampshire University, his Master’s Degree in Emergency Services Management from Columbia Southern University, and an Executive Chief Fire Officer certification.  

Mayor Gloria’s appointment of Deputy Chief Logan comes following an extensive national recruitment process that began in March. It consisted of two community forums, an online survey that ran for six weeks, and vetting of the finalists by community and public safety leaders. The recruitment effort netted a total of 70 applicants.   

Mayor Gloria announced the appointment at a press conference this morning at San Diego City Hall joined by City Councilmember Henry Foster and City Councilmember Marni von Wilpert, Chair of the City Council’s Public Safety Committee as well as the City’s current Fire Chief Colin Stowell.  

“It has been an honor to serve as the Fire Chief and lead the dedicated professionals of San Diego Fire-Rescue Department for the last six years,” said Fire Chief Colin Stowell. “I have full confidence that Chief Logan will continue the legacy of this great department and lead with his exceptional integrity, commitment to serving our communities, and collaboration with all of our public safety partners. Chief Logan has earned the respect of our members as well as community stakeholders, and brings a wealth of SDFD experience and institutional knowledge critical to his success as the next Fire Chief.” 

Chief Stowell will retire in August after 36 years of service with the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department. The City Council is expected to hold a confirmation hearing in July to consider Mayor Gloria’s appointment. 

The San Diego Fire-Rescue Department is supported by over 1,210 uniformed Fire-Rescue personnel, 141 full-time and 325 seasonal uniformed Lifeguard personnel, and 198 civilian personnel operating throughout 51 Fire Stations, 9 lifeguard stations, and 34 additional seasonal lifeguard towers during peak periods. The Department budget for Fiscal Year 2025 is $467 million.  

The Fire-Rescue Department leadership oversees Emergency and Business Operations, as well as Fiscal Services. With the support of executive command staff, the Emergency Communications Dispatch Center, Logistics, Emergency Medical Services, Fire Operations, Special Operations, and the Community Risk Reduction Division all fall under the direction and management of the Fire-Chief.