34-year veteran firefighter and life-saving hero Dean Crispen named as San Francisco Fire Chief

SAN FRANCISCO — Dean Crispen, 34-year veteran firefighter and lifesaving hero, was named as the 27th Fire Chief for San Francisco Fire Department (SFFD) by newly-inaugurated Mayor Daniel Lurie.

Crispen became Lurie's first city department head appointee since Lurie was sworn into office on January 8. Crispen's appointment was announced by Lurie at the Mayor's Office on January 10 while the massive Los Angeles and Southern California wildfires were still burning and rapidly spreading out of control.

Prior to the appointment, Crispen was the Battalion Chief at the San Francisco Fire Department including serving at the Chinatown, North Beach and SOMA stations. He was recognized three times for bravery following rescuing elderly victims in fires in the Tenderloin.

Crispen was also a member of the SFFD response team to New York City in the aftermath of the attacks on September 11, 2001.

Crispen was born and raised in San Francisco. He followed his father's footsteps to join the SFPD as a firefighter. His father is a retired Captain of the SFFD Arson Squad.

“With over 34 years of distinguished experience serving our city, Chief Crispen will lead the San Francisco Fire Department with the same compassion, integrity, and unwavering dedication that have defined his entire career,” Lurie said in the press conference.

“Whether as a first responder, an advocate for underserved populations, or a leader fostering collaboration, he has demonstrated an extraordinary ability to meet challenges with both strength and empathy. And he will demonstrate that ability every day in service of the safety of San Franciscans,” Lurie added.

Following former Fire Chief Jeanine Nicholson’s announcement to retire in August 2024, former Mayor London Breed appointed Chinese American Sandy Tong in September 2024 to be the interim Fire Chief until permanent Chief was named.

Tong was on the Command Staff for Nicholson for five years as Deputy Chief of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and Community Paramedicine. Tong's 35-year professional experience at the SFFD has been primarily at the EMS instead of battling fire.

The Tong appointment was also named during the campaign days while Breed was running for re-election. Members of the Chinese community have doubted that Tong's appointment was politically related. On the other hand, insiders have questioned her competency to lead a fire department due to her very limited experiences in fighting fire.