After more than 36 years of public service, John Healy, the fire chief for the San Mateo Consolidated Fire Department, announced he plans to retire at the end of the year.
Healy began his career at age 19 as a volunteer firefighter in Foster City, and spent 16 years with the San Mateo Fire Department. Healy was instrumental in the creation of San Mateo Consolidated Fire Department, as he helped oversee the merger of the three departments in San Mateo, Foster City and Belmont which took several years, according to the department.
Healy said it’s been a privilege to work side by side with some of the most dedicated fire service professionals in Foster City, Hillsborough, Union City, San Mateo and Belmont.
“My career has provided me countless life lessons and unforgettable memories. The most important lessons learned were service before self, giving your very best daily, and leaving every situation better than you found it. Those were characteristic taught to me, and I have worked to share these values with the team, so that they may pay it forward to future members,” Healy said in a prepared statement.
Growing up in San Mateo, he attended local schools and feels fortunate to work in his hometown where he’s been an active member of the community. Healy and his wife Stacey are raising three sons, two who attend Serra High School and one now in college, according to the department.
Over the course of his career, he’s seen vital progression of a profession that holds high value on training and education. Healy earned an Associate of Science degree in fire technology from College and San Mateo and a Bachelor of Science degree in both fire administration and fire prevention technology from Cogswell Polytechnical College in Sunnyvale. He attended training throughout the state and has earned California state fire marshal certification as a chief officer, fire investigator and fire instructor, according to the department.
Reflecting on his career, he said he’ll miss the adrenaline rush from responding to emergency incidents.
Congratulations Chief John Healy .You have certainly earned a rest after your many years of service I remember you here from a call on your scanner and off duty many moons ago..Captain Tom trained you so blame him I always say if you make mistake You have followed Foster City, Union City last stop San Mateo Consolidated and numerous depatments in your career Time to go 10 7 and hang up those turnout boots..Many good wishes to you in all you pursue. The best is yet to come You go, I go. Service before self has certainly been your mantra See you at your dinner Should be fun...You were trained well by my better half..Carry on! I will miss your smile!
Keep the discussion civilized. Absolutely NO
personal attacks or insults directed toward writers, nor others who
make comments. Keep it clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd,
racist or sexually-oriented language. Don't threaten. Threats of harming another
person will not be tolerated. Be truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone
or anything. Be proactive. Use the 'Report' link on
each comment to let us know of abusive posts. PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. Anyone violating these rules will be issued a
warning. After the warning, comment privileges can be
revoked.
Please purchase a Premium Subscription to continue reading.
To continue, please log in, or sign up for a new account.
We offer one free story view per month. If you register for an account, you will get two additional story views. After those three total views, we ask that you support us with a subscription.
A subscription to our digital content is so much more than just access to our valuable content. It means you’re helping to support a local community institution that has, from its very start, supported the betterment of our society. Thank you very much!
(1) comment
Congratulations Chief John Healy .You have certainly earned a rest after your many years of service I remember you here from a call on your scanner and off duty many moons ago..Captain Tom trained you so blame him I always say if you make mistake You have followed Foster City, Union City last stop San Mateo Consolidated and numerous depatments in your career Time to go 10 7 and hang up those turnout boots..Many good wishes to you in all you pursue. The best is yet to come You go, I go. Service before self has certainly been your mantra See you at your dinner Should be fun...You were trained well by my better half..Carry on! I will miss your smile!
Welcome to the discussion.
Log In
Keep the discussion civilized. Absolutely NO personal attacks or insults directed toward writers, nor others who make comments.
Keep it clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
Don't threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Anyone violating these rules will be issued a warning. After the warning, comment privileges can be revoked.