FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 23, 2024
San Rafael Hires New Fire Chief
San Rafael, Calif – The City of San Rafael is pleased to announce the promotion of Abraham (Abe) Roman as the new Fire Chief for both the City of San Rafael and Marinwood Fire Departments. Roman brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to the community, having dedicated over 38 years to the fire service.
Over the last 23 months, Roman has served as Deputy Fire Chief and, most recently, as Interim Fire Chief in San Rafael since January 2024. Roman’s is developing innovative recruitment and retention strategies to build a more diverse workforce. A natural mentor and a firm believer in robust training programs, Chief Roman has provided and supported a culture of training, safety, and professional growth within the San Rafael Fire Department.
Roman’s impressive career includes nearly 24 years with the Berkeley Fire Department, where he achieved numerous organizational milestones. These include developing a Community Wildfire Prevention Plan, overseeing EMS priority dispatch studies, and managing an annual budget of over $63 million.
Roman’s journey began in Sonoma County as an English as a Second Language (ESL) student. Roman began his career in the fire service at age 14 as a volunteer in Freestone, CA. The diversity and spirit of San Rafael drew him to seek this role, a role that supports him in creating pathways for future generations of youth.
“We are thrilled to have Abe as our new Fire Chief,” said City Manager Cristine Alilovich. “His extensive experience and proven leadership make him the ideal person to lead our Fire Departments and continue our mission of providing expectational service to the community.”
Roman is committed to leading our Fire Department and serving our community. He shares, “I am honored to be appointed as the Fire Chief of San Rafael and Marinwood. I am deeply committed to our community and will work tirelessly to ensure their safety and well-being.”
“Abe’s recent impactful contributions as Deputy and Interim Fire Chief in San Rafael highlight his exceptional leadership and unwavering commitment to our community. His dedication gives me full confidence that he is the right person for the job,” said Mayor Kate.
For more information, please contact the City of San Rafael at PIO@Cityofsanrafael.org.