Body of News Release
San Rafael, CA - Jason Weber, the interim Fire Chief of the Marin County Fire Department, was selected as the permanent head of the 86-person department.
Weber has been Deputy Fire Chief since 2010, and prior to that, a Battalion Chief -Training Officer since 2008. Weber was selected from a pool of 49 applicants and seven finalists.
“We are excited that Chief Weber will be permanently leading the men and women of our fire service,” said Board of Supervisors President Steve Kinsey. “I know he’ll provide energetic, enthusiastic and skilled leadership for the department. Jason continues a culture of strong values and a ‘can do’ attitude. We look forward to his continued command and fresh perspective.”
Weber, 36 years old, has served as the interim Fire Chief since March, when Ken Massucco, a 37 year veteran of the department retired after 11 years as Fire Chief. Weber joined the Marin County Fire Department in 1995 as a Seasonal Firefighter, working his way up through the ranks.
“Jason has a tremendous sense of community and is a natural leader. He’s been a mentor to many throughout his career and I have no doubt that the County Fire Department will be very successful under his command. With his collegial style, he will be an asset to the County Management Team” noted former Fire Chief Ken Massucco.
Weber’s roots in public service also include 20 years of volunteer service with the Schell-Vista Fire Protection District, a mixed volunteer and career fire district covering the community surrounding Sonoma Valley. He also served as President of the California Fire Exploring Association for the last 10 years, a nonprofit organization supporting fire exploring on the West Coast.
“It is an honor and privilege to have been selected to serve as the Marin County Fire Chief. I have worked alongside the dedicated men and women of this Department and the County of Marin for many years, and I’m blessed to be taking the reins of an organization in great health and with an exceptional group of employees. I look forward to working with all of our communities to ensure Marin remains the safest place to live, work and enjoy” said Weber.
Weber holds a Bachelors of Science degree from California State University at Long Beach and is a certified Chief Fire Officer, among other professional certifications. He lives in Novato with his wife Brianna and their two children.
Marin County Fire provides fire protection to the unincorporated areas of Marin County and includes six fire stations, two fire lookouts, and a 12-member fire crew. The department has 86 permanent employees, 60 seasonal firefighters, and 25 volunteers, with an approximately $19.4 million annual operating budget. Weber will earn a $171,954 annual salary for his services to the County.