Doug Fry Named Interim Chief of Belmont's New Fire Department

Belmont's fire department may be brand new come October, but its first fire chief will bring decades of experience fighting fires in the city of Belmont.

City Manager Greg Scoles announced on Tuesday he has named Doug Fry, who previously served as fire chief of the Belmont-San Carlos Fire Protection District, the interim fire chief of the new Belmont Fire Department.

Fry announced his from the Belmont-San Carlos Fire Department in May.

He began his career as a firefighter with the Belmont Fire Protection District in 1975, and joined the South County Fire Authority at its inception in 1979. Fry was promoted to Fire Captain in 1982, and then to Battalion/Training Chief in 1997.

Scoles said Fry's experience in Belmont will be an asset to his service with the city's new fire department.

“Chief Fry has a solid fire background and is enthused about this opportunity in Belmont,” Scoles said in a statement. “We are confident he will keep things moving forward during this transition period, and we feel very lucky to have Doug back in our organization.”

Fry will be responsible for the transition from the Belmont-San Carlos Fire Department to the new Belmont Fire Department, scheduled to take place in October.

Fry said he is looking forward to joining the new Belmont Fire Department.

"I appreciate the opportunity to serve the city of Belmont during this important time,” Fry said in a statement. “My goal will be to make the transition to the new Belmont Fire Department as seamless as possible.”

After the transition, Fry’s interim position will continue into early 2012 while the city looks for a permanent fire chief.