Pasadena’s new Fire Chief, Chad Augustin (Photos – Graphics Dept.)
The City of Pasadena announced the appointment of Sacramento Fire Department (SFD) Deputy Fire Chief Chad Augustin to serve as the new chief of Pasadena Fire Department, effective Feb. 22.
By News Desk
The City retained the services of executive recruiting firm Teri Black & Company, LLC to facilitate the search for a new fire chief. They completed a nationwide search that spanned four months and attracted many well-qualified candidates. During the recruitment process, Pasadena residents were invited to share feedback regarding qualifications and characteristics most important in their new fire chief via the City’s website. Of the 40 applications received, the search firm identified 11 applicants as most qualified based on the established criteria. These applicants then participated in initial screening interviews, and the city manager and the consultant narrowed the field down to the top four applicants. These four finalists were interviewed in mid-December by a professional panel of fire chiefs, Pasadena Fire Department employees, the assistant city managers, and city manager.
“I am so pleased to have Chief Augustin joining Pasadena as our next fire chief. He has impressive qualifications and well-rounded experience working at a busy urban fire department as well as demonstrated involvement in his community,” said City Manager Steve Mermell. “The chief’s passion for the fire service is infectious, and he has a reputation as being a leader others want to follow. His desire to foster innovation, collaborate with school districts and state and local agencies, and mentor the next generation of fire service leaders will benefit the Pasadena community and fire department employees.”
Fire Chief Chad Augustin
Chief Augustin began his career with Sacramento FD as a firefighter paramedic and has risen through the ranks over the last 20 years, serving in a wide range of areas, including training, fire prevention, administration, human resources, professional standards, operations and emergency medical services. He comes to Pasadena with a diverse background in hazardous materials, urban search and rescue, large-scale emergency/disaster incident management, and developing short- and long-range plans.
As deputy fire chief for SFD, he was selected for the highly competitive Fire Service Executive Development Institute, a program developed by the International Association of Fire Chiefs, to provide new and aspiring chiefs with the tools they need to have successful and productive tenures.
Chief Augustin earned a Master of Legal Studies degree from the University of Arizona, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude; a bachelor’s degree in fire administration from Waldorf University; and a Chief Officer Certification from the California State Board of Fire Services.
As fire chief, Augustin will oversee 190 full-time employees and an annual department budget of $55.5 million. He and his wife of 24 years, Sandra, look forward to making Pasadena their home.
Source: City of Pasadena. Edited by Ann Hunnewell
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