San Jose City Hall, 801 North First Street, Room 436, San Jose, CA 95110 (408)277-5131

San Jose Appoints New Fire Chief
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San Jose, California - City Manager Del D. Borgsdorf announced today (3/28) the appointment of Manny Alarcon as the new Fire Chief for the City of San José. Alarcon’s appointment by the City Manager was confirmed by the City Council during a closed session held earlier today.

"My goal from the start has always been to find someone with hands-on experience, someone who would build respectful relationships, and someone under whom the department would be a single strong team," stated Borgsdorf at a morning press conference. "Manny was the right fit."

"Manny Alarcon knows San Jose and he knows our department," noted San Jose Mayor Ron Gonzales. "With his experience going through the ranks here and with his professional reputation, I am confident Chief Alarcon will ensure that San Jose’s Fire Department is one of the best in the nation."

San Jose’s new Chief was selected following an exhaustive nationwide search. The City’s search firm interviewed 41 candidates from across the country. The seven finalists, from within California and throughout the U.S., went through a series of interviews by three panels - fire chiefs from other large agencies, outside managers from other cities and private industry, and several members of the City’s senior staff.

Prior to the interview process, extensive input was solicited from community groups and businesses; the Department’s command staff, and, most importantly, from the rank and file firefighters.

"I think it is a testament to the Fire Department that the ideal candidate turned out to be a longtime veteran - one of their own," commented Borgsdorf. "I am confident that the 811 sworn and civilian members of the Fire Service will find Chief Alarcon to be an open, accessible and smart leader, committed to giving everyone a place at the table."

Alarcon is an experienced Battalion and Division Chief who has held positions in fire prevention, administration and training units. He has managed major projects for the Department, including oversight of an entire Bureau, and developed the Department’s policies and guidelines for fire fighting operations in high rise buildings. He is also a founding member of the Department’s Discord Response Team, which works to resolve internal differences before conflicts arise.

In making the appointment, Borgsdorf made clear that Alarcon’s broad experience, combined with his educational and professional training, have provided him with the skills and knowledge to take on leadership, management, supervision and administrative responsibilities in the San Jose Fire Department.

Chief Robert Dorman retired from the Department on March 6th, 1999. During the interim, the Fire Department has been under the helm of Acting Chief Bruce Staples.

Alarcon is a 24-year veteran of the San Jose Fire Department. He is a decorated Vietnam veteran who holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology from the University of California at Santa Cruz and an Associate’s Degree in Fire Science from San Jose City College. He attended the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland in 1988 and also attended command courses in Control of Major Disasters; Command of Major Fires; Incident Command, instructor courses, and other professional courses.

Fact Sheet

San Jose Fire Department

• 31 fire stations


• $87 million budget (‘99-’00)


• Five Bureaus


1. Field Operations - fire fighting
2. Support Services - buildings and supplies
3. Fire Prevention - inspections
4. Education and Training - on-going training and medical services
5. Administrative Services - human resources


• 65,000 calls for service in ‘98-’99


• Special operations


• Airport fire protection


• Hazardous Materials Emergency Response
• Specialty rescue services - Cliff, water and trench, among others.
• Public Education office


• Staffing


• 1 Assistant Chief
• 5 Deputy Chiefs
• 3 Division Chiefs
• 23 Battalion Chiefs
• 684 Uniformed fire fighters
• 811 total employees


• First Fire Chief - Chief C.E. Allen - 1854

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