City Manager taps Jason Pyle to be Interim Fire Chief

City Manager Cecilia Gallardo-Daly has appointed veteran Fire & Rescue leader Jason Pyle to be the Interim Fire Chief to lead the 100-member-strong department that includes six active fire stations and a new Regional Training Center.

Pyle has been the Assistant Fire Chief since 2023 and will succeed Chief Dan Stefano, who is leaving the City after a 30-year fire service career.

"Assistant Fire Chief Pyle is a long-time and dedicated City employee with extensive experience, institutional knowledge, and a deep understanding of the community of Costa Mesa and the Fire and Rescue Department operations," Gallardo-Daly said. "Assistant Chief Pyle is well prepared to continue the department's mission and uphold the high standards established under Chief Stefano's leadership. We look forward to the continued strength and stability of the Fire Department under the Interim Fire Chief's leadership."

Pyle began his career in Costa Mesa in April of 2003 and quickly promoted to Engineer, Captain, Division Chief and then Assistant Fire Chief. Prior to Costa Mesa, he worked for the Fullerton Fire Department and the Menlo Park Fire Protection District and he was a reserve firefighter for both the Los Alamitos and Anaheim Fire Departments.

"While Chief Pyle has big shoes to fill, I'm confident he will do just that," Mayor John Stephens said. "We take pride in our Costa Mesa Fire & Rescue team, and the work they do daily to save lives and property. As our Assistant Fire Chief for many years, Chief Pyle has developed expertise on every aspect of the department. With Chief Pyle at the helm, the CMFRD will continue its tradition as the model of fire and emergency medical service excellence."

This role has a special meaning for Chief Pyle, as Costa Mesa is a deep part of his roots. He grew up in the Newport-Mesa community, attended Newport Elementary, Ensign Middle School and Newport Harbor High. As he started his fire service career, it was always his goal to return to Costa Mesa.

"I am honored to be named the Interim Fire Chief for my hometown of Costa Mesa," Chief Pyle said. "My family and I have deep ties here and this is just a continuation of being a part of the community I grew up in and has been a part of my entire life. Further, I look forward to meeting the high standards we have set for this department and leading this premiere team of professionals."

Chief Pyle has served as the CMFR Training Officer and is certified as both the CMFR & California State Fire Marshal Company Officer and CMFR & California State Chief Officer.

He has been the past president of the Orange County Fire Chiefs Association Operations Sections, a Board Member for the Orange County City Hazardous Materials Emergency Response Authority, a deputy director for the SoCal Training Officers, a Fire Service Representative for the League of Cites Environmental Quality Policy Committee, a logistics specialist for the FEMA USAR Team - CA Task Force 3 and a Facilities Unit Leader for CA Team 2 for the US Forest Service National Incident Management Type 1 Team.

He's a graduate of Leadership Tomorrow and both the CSUF Leadership and All American Leadership Programs.

Pyle has an associate of science degree in fire administration from Santa Ana College and a bachelor's degree in political and social science from UCI.

He and his wife Jennifer have two sons, Jacob, who is also a UCI graduate and Jay, who is currently attending the US Air Force Academy.