Fairfield city manager names next fire chief

Former Battalion Chief Tony Velasquez has been named the new Fairfield Fire Deparment Chief. (Robinson Kuntz/Daily Republic)

FAIRFIELD — Anthony Velasquez has been appointed fire chief for the city of Fairfield. He will succeed Chief Vince Webster, who is retiring April 2 after 30 years of service.

The appointment of Velasquez was announced Tuesday night in a city press release.

Velasquez is a battalion chief with the Fairfield Fire Department. He began his service with the department in 1989 as a volunteer. He was hired full-time in 1992. he has served as a firefighter, engineer paramedic, captain and battalion chief.

He brings significant ancillary experience to his new position.

Velasquez is a state certified paramedic, a master instructor for California state fire training, has a California Chief Officer certification and just completed his first year of the Executive Fire Officer Program at the National Fire Academy. He has an associate degree in fire science from Solano Community College, a bachelor’s degree in human relations and a master’s degree in organizational leadership.

“I am very excited about becoming the new fire chief for the city of Fairfield Fire Department. I plan to build on the great things that Fire Chief Vince Webster has done for our department, but more importantly what Chief Webster has done in the community,” Velasquez said in the release. “The Fairfield Fire Department’s biggest strength comes from the members in the department.”

Velasquez was born in Fairfield and graduated from Fairfield High School. He is a former coach and board member of Fairfield Atlantic Little League, and a former coach of the Fairfield Youth Soccer League.

Prior to coming to work for the Fairfield Fire Department, he worked for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, Solano Garbage Company and Medic Ambulance.

His current and future bosses offered high praise for Velasquez.

“I’m very grateful for the privilege of serving here as Fairfield’s fire chief since 2008,” Webster said in the release. “I proudly pass the torch to Chief Tony Velasquez with the confidence that he’ll provide great leadership. I wish him, and the city, the best as they move forward,”

“I am pleased to be able to promote Tony to lead the Fire Department and to become a key member of the city’s executive management team,” City Manager Sean Quinn said in the release. ”He brings extensive experience with the department and has a strong educational background. Tony is also committed to the profession. I am confident he is up to the task.”

Reach Glen Faison at 427-6925 or gfaison@dailyrepublic.net. Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GlenFaison.

Glen Faison

Glen Faison joined the Daily Republic as managing editor in September 2009. He has worked as a reporter and editor for daily and weekly newspapers in the San Joaquin Valley for 20-plus years. His experience includes time as editor of the Golden Eagle, a military paper serving the Lemoore Naval Air Station. He graduated from Fresno State University with a bachelor's degree in journalism and bleeds Bulldogs red. He is an avid Washington Redskins fan, and attended the 1988 NFC Championship Game against the Minnesota Vikings at RFK Stadium. He married his wife, Jill, in 2005, and has three children: Courtni, Tyler and Hayli.

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