New Encinitas Fire Chief is Third-Generation Firefighter

ENCINITAS, CA — Acting Encinitas fire Chief Mike Stein has been appointed to the position of fire chief, the city announced Wednesday. Effective immediately, Stein will take on the role of fire chief for the cities of Encinitas, Del Mar and Solana Beach as part of a cooperative management services agreement established between the cities in 2009.

Stein — who was appointed acting chief following the retirement of former Encinitas fire Chief Mike Daigle in late 2015 — has also held the positions of battalion fire chief and deputy fire chief since coming to work for the city in September 2013. He has more than 26 years of firefighting experience and has served in every rank beginning with reserve firefighter, according to a news release.

“With almost three decades of firefighting experience, Chief Stein is an asset to the community,” said Encinitas City Manager Karen Brust. “Over his three years at the chief officer level for the city of Encinitas Fire Department, including serving the last eight months as acting fire chief, he has performed at an exceptional level. We’re confident Chief Stein will continue to keep our communities safe.”

Prior to his appointment with the Encinitas Fire Department, he worked for the San Miguel Fire District for 23 years. He was the district’s first paramedic coordinator and also developed the district’s peer mentor program.

In 2009 as a fire battalion chief, he was assigned to the city of San Diego’s Office of Homeland Security, where he managed a regional training program for both fire and law enforcement personnel from agencies throughout the county. In 2013, he was given the Major’s Award from the U.S. Army Sergeant of the California Emergency Management Agency for his work in Homeland Security.

Stein earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from San Diego State University and a master’s degree in public administration from California State University, Dominguez Hills. He is a third-generation firefighter; his father served with the Santa Monica Fire Department for 31 years and his grandfather served with the Los Angeles Fire Department.

Stein earned a monthly salary of $7,221 as the acting fire chief; his monthly salary upon appointment to fire chief is $7,582, a city spokesperson told Patch in an emailed response Wednesday.

Photo courtesy of the city of Encinitas