Mike Gaffney Named Belmont's First Deputy Fire Chief

Belmont Fire Department battalion chief Michael Gaffney has been promoted to a deputy fire chief, a position created under the new command structure shared between Belmont and San Mateo/Foster City departments. Gaffney's promotion will become effective Jan. 9.

Greg Scoles, Belmont's city manager, made the announcement of Gaffney's promotion last week. Gaffney, a 27-year veteran of the Belmont-San Carlos and South County Fire departments will replace outgoing fire chief Doug Fry who has served as interim chief since the creation of the Belmont Fire Department in late 2011.

According to an announcement released by the city manager's office, Gaffney, a longtime resident of Belmont, has served as one of the second in commands for the three agencies for the last six years.  He has a bachelor of arts degree in leadership from Bellevue University and studied fire science at the College of San Mateo. 

Gaffney has risen through the ranks and served as a volunteer firefighter, firefighter - engineer, fire captain/paramedic, and battalion chief.  He possesses a California chief officer certification, a California fire officer I certification; attended paramedic school at the Samaritan Training Center; and was named Firefighter of the Year in 1989.

Gaffney has helped in the successful transition of the Belmont Fire Department after the dissolution of the Belmont-San Carlos Fire Department in 2011.  As of January 1, the cities of Belmont, San Mateo and Foster City began sharing fire command staff, and Gaffney will serve as deputy fire chief in this new command structure. 

Scoles noted that, “We look forward to Mike’s leadership as we commence our new partnership with the cities of San Mateo and Foster City in providing exceptional fire protection services to our communities. Mike is a dedicated member of this department and his institutional knowledge and leadership skills will help in the department’s current transition. I’m pleased that he will be joining our management team.”

Deputy Chief Gaffney said that he is “honored to have been chosen to serve in this new capacity.”  

Gaffney is committed to ensuring the partnership with San Mateo and Foster City is successful and that Belmont and its neighboring cities continue to provide the highest level of emergency response possible to our communities.

READ MORE ON BELMONT PATCH:

Fire Dept. to Partner With San Mateo-Foster City

SLIDESHOW: Belmont Fire Department Swearing-In Ceremony

Belmont-San Carlos Fire Commission Recognizes Staff at Final Meeting

Doug Fry to Retire Jan. 8

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