Robert Logan II will become the next San Diego Fire- Rescue Department Chief later this month, with current Chief Colin Stowell retiring from the post on Aug. 23.
Logan was confirmed by the San Diego City Council in July and thanked Stowell for his personal guidance. He told the council he envisions a truly representative workforce with excellent ambulance service, support of the city's lifeguards and wants to practice increased transparency and collaboration.
Logan, who will become the new chief Aug. 24, is a lifelong San Diegan and the deputy fire chief overseeing employee services. In that role, he supervises and manages six divisions within the SDFD, including recruitment, health and safety, community outreach, professional standards and training.
"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," Mayor Todd Gloria said. "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."
Before his current role, Logan served as a deputy chief overseeing special operations — with a wide purview including air operations, the metro arson strike team, the hazardous incident response team and the special events/emergency management team.
He began his career with the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department as an emergency medical technician in 1999, then became a firefighter in 2000. He grew up in San Diego's District 4, born to a teenage mother and said he had to learn resiliency to reach where he is today.
"I am deeply honored and grateful to be appointed by Mayor Gloria to be our city's next fire chief," Logan said. "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."
According to the city, Logan is co-founder of Lincoln High School's Fire Protection Program and an active member of Women In Fire, a national organization dedicated to empowering women in the fire and emergency services field.
Logan earned his bachelor's degree from Southern New Hampshire University, his master's in emergency services management from Columbia Southern University as well as an executive chief fire officer certification.
"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," Stowell said. "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," he added.
Stowell served with the SDFD for 36 years.
