Fire Chief John Healy Announces Retirement

SAN MATEO, CA — After a career that spanned 36 years, beginning when he was a volunteer firefighter at age 19 in Foster City, San Mateo Consolidated Fire Department Chief John Healy announced today that he will retire at the end of the year from the organization he described as "his extended family."

Healy spent 16 years with the City of San Mateo fire department, and was key in the merger of three agencies into the San Mateo Consolidated Fire Department serving San Mateo, Foster City and Belmont.

Healy, a San Mateo native, said it was a privilege to work side-by-side with fire service crews in the three cities along with other area professionals.

“My career has provided me countless life lessons and unforgettable memories," Healy said. "The most important lessons learned were service before self, giving your very best daily, and leaving every situation better than you found it. Those were characteristic taught to me, and I have worked to share these values with the team, so that they may pay it forward to future members.”

After growing up and attending school in San Mateo, Healy said he felt fortunate to work in his hometown and to be an active member of the community — endeavors he plans to continue after retirement by partaking in annual holiday toy drives and chili cook-offs.

Healy and his wife, Stacey, have three sons, two who attend Serra High School in San Mateo and one in college. His official retirement date is set for Dec. 28.

Throughout his three-plus-decade career, Healy moved up the ranks starting as a volunteer firefighter in 1983, becoming a firefighter/engineer in 1984, a fire captain in 1995, a battalion chief in 2003, deputy fire in chief in 2008 and finally fire chief in 2015, according to the agency.

Missed after he retires may be the adrenaline rush from responding to emergency incidents, said Healy, who holds an associate of science degree in fire technology and bachelor's degrees in fire administration and fire-prevention technology from Cogwell Polytechnical College in the Silicon Valley.

“The pride felt from helping others during their most challenging time was a feeling that few professions get to experience," he added. "Wearing the uniform and the badge was the greatest honor and it’s difficult for words to fully express what that means to me."

Healy also attended trainings throughout the state and earned California State Fire Marshal Certification as a chief officer, fire investigator and fire instructor.

He applauded the skilled firefighters and communities of Belmont, Foster City and San Mateo for their formation of SMC Fire. After several years of shared services, the merger provided cost savings to the communities, while improving service, when the new department officially commenced operations in January 2019, the agency said.

“I will treasure all the memories from my three-and-a-half decades of service. I am confident the San Mateo Consolidated Fire Department will continue to tirelessly look for opportunities to improve our service to the community," Healy said. "The next generation of SMCFD is filled with talented and dedicated members anxious to continue moving forward and grow in their constant pursuit of being the best.”

Announcing his departure, Healy also thanked area city councils, city managers and community members for trusting him "to lead the organization as fire chief for the past five years. I look forward to new and exciting challenges that lay ahead and plan to spend time boating, hiking and traveling with family and friends.”

The San Mateo Consolidated Fire Board will discuss hiring a replacement fire chief in the coming months, the agency said.

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