Mayor Daniel Lurie names Battalion Chief Dean Crispen as new Fire Chief

SAN FRANCISCO - Mayor Daniel Lurie today named highly decorated, 34-year department veteran Battalion Chief Dean Crispen as the 27th Fire Chief for the San Francisco Fire Department (SFFD). Battalion Chief Crispen takes on this role having displayed exemplary leadership throughout his career and put his life on the line for San Francisco residents and Americans across the country.

• He has served as Captain of Stations in Chinatown, North Beach, and SOMA, and as Battalion Chief to stations that are among the busiest in the city and the country.
• He was recognized three times for bravery in the service of San Francisco's residents, following the rescue of elderly victims in fires in the Tenderloin.
• He has acted as Incident Commander at over 50 major incidents in San Francisco and was part of the SFFD's response in New York City in the aftermath of the attacks on September 11, 2001.

Chief Crispen is a native San Franciscan and father of two boys raised in the city. His mother immigrated to the U.S. from Nicaragua at the age of 12, his father is a retired Captain of the SFFD Arson Squad, and his grandmother was a senior citizen advocate in the Mission District and the founder of the Latin American Senior Citizen Association.

In his new role, Chief Crispen will not only oversee the highly capable Battalions of firefighters across the city but will also coordinate the department's emergency preparedness and public safety initiatives while leading SFFD's community engagement programs such as the Neighborhood Emergency Readiness Teams (NERT).

As communities in Southern California continue to fight devastating fires, SFFD has provided resources to support emergency response efforts. In his inaugural address on Wednesday, Mayor Lurie expressed his solidarity with those struggling and the city will continue to provide support as needed.

"With over 34 years of distinguished experience serving our city, Chief Crispen will lead the San Francisco Fire Department with the same compassion, integrity, and unwavering dedication that have defined his entire career," said Mayor Lurie. "Whether as a first responder, an advocate for underserved populations, or a leader fostering collaboration, he has demonstrated an extraordinary ability to meet challenges with both strength and empathy. And he will demonstrate that ability every day in service of the safety of San Franciscans."

"My number one goal as Chief of the Department is to safeguard the health and safety of all members of the San Francisco Fire Department and all San Franciscans," said Chief Crispen. "We are implementing Mayor Lurie's vision for a safer, cleaner San Francisco and will continue to collaborate with other departments to ensure citizens are receiving the best public safety services."