San Rafael, CA – Jason Weber, chief of the Marin County Fire Department since 2012 and a department firefighter since 1995, was named 2023 Fire Chief of the Year by the California Fire Chiefs Association earlier this week.
Marin County Fire Chief Jason Weber (left) receives the Ronny Jack Coleman Award from the California Fire Chiefs Association earlier this week.A longtime Novato resident, Weber received the the Ronny Jack Coleman Award during the association’s annual conference in Ontario, CA. He was cited in the nomination for his 27 years of experience, effective leadership, adaptation to changing conditions and environments, collaboration with partnering agencies, the creation and launch of the FIRE Foundry program, and outstanding communication skills.
“I was first introduced to Chief Coleman as a fire explorer over 30 years ago, to be recognized in his name is truly an honor,” Weber said. “This recognition is very nice, but I only accept it knowing it’s the entire team that is being recognized. We have a Board of Supervisors that prioritizes public safety and supports our mission and 295 men and women who work 24-7 to protect our residents. It has and continues to be my honor to serve with all of the firefighters and chiefs in this county to deliver excellent services.”
Weber was 36 years old when he was named as the replacement for retiring Marin County Fire Chief Ken Massucco on December 5, 2012. Weber had served two years as the department’s deputy chief and for many years as a battalion chief, training officer, and paramedic. Weber has a bachelor’s degree in emergency services from California State University at Long Beach.
The last fire chief from Marin to receive the top honor from the state’s association was Massucco in 2009. San Rafael Fire Department Chief Robert Marcucci earned the same award in 2000.
Among his leadership roles, Weber spent 15 years as a board member of the nonprofit California Fire Exploring Association, been a point person for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) and served with more than a dozen firefighting and fire training associations.
In his nomination letter, Marin County Administrator Matthew Hymel mentioned Weber’s recent roles in launching the Marin Wildfire Protection Authority, leading the County’s COVID-19 response, and creating the FIRE Foundry program that encourages young recruits from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds to get involved in fire protection services.
“Chief Weber has demonstrated extraordinary and selfless leadership over the past year to make our community safer and healthier,” Hymel wrote. “… Chief Weber is a leader and collaborator who brings all stakeholders together to make our county a more responsive government. After his nearly 28 years of fire service, I cannot imagine a more deserving individual for this prestigious honor.”
Marin County Fire has 295 employees, which includes 171 seasonal firefighters, and an annual budget of $46 million. It provides fire protection and paramedic services to unincorporated areas of Marin from its six fire stations, four fire crews, two fire lookout posts, water rescue teams and members of Urban Search and Rescue.
The association’s honor recognizes an outstanding member of the state’s fire service leadership community who is seen as a role model and management collaborator for local, regional, and statewide fire protection programs. Coleman, who died in September, was the retired state fire marshal who was seen as one of the most influential fire service leaders in modern U.S. history.
The professional association, known as CalChiefs, aims to serve as the voice of the California fire service community and engage in legislation that affects service delivery. Members come from more than 800 fire service agencies and districts.