The City of Costa Mesa is proud to announce that Costa Mesa Fire Chief Dan Stefano has been inducted into the inaugural class of the California Fire Chiefs Hall of Fame 2023.
The California Fire Chiefs Association (CalChiefs) recently established the California Fire Chiefs Hall of Fame (HOF) to honor and celebrate lifelong contributions and achievements of Fire Chiefs who have gone above and beyond to enhance the California Fire Service.
“Fire Chief Dan Stefano is a blessing to the City of Costa Mesa,” Mayor John Stephens said. “He has served our community with distinction as our fire chief for over 10 years. During that time, he has developed a department that is second to none. Chief Stefano is a role model, not just in the Fire & Rescue Department, but throughout the city staff. He is definitely a first-ballot Hall of Famer who well deserves this prestigious honor.”
Chief Stefano and OCFA Chief Brian Fennessy are among the few chiefs who have been named to the Hall of Fame while still working in the field. The majority, which includes inductees dating back to 1919, have retired before receiving the honor or have been recognized posthumously
A few Orange County notable inductees include retired Fire Chiefs Chip Prather (OCFA), Tim Riley (Newport Beach), Jeff Bowman (Anaheim and OCFA), and Ronny J. Coleman (San Clemente, Fullerton and California State Fire Marshal). Coleman was recognized in a celebration of life memorial service this past September.
“I am beyond humbled and unbelievably honored to be included with this amazing group,” Chief Stefano said. “This honor really speaks to the talented teams and organizations that I have been so fortunate to have been a part of throughout my professional career and, at the heart of it all, my incredible family, friends and professional colleagues, all of whom I am very grateful for every day.”
City Manager Lori Ann Farrell Harrison was thrilled to hear of Stefano’s induction.
“We are so very fortunate in Costa Mesa to have Chief Stefano’s leadership and steady hand directing our Fire & Rescue Department,” Farrell Harrison said. “He is a true leader that is highly regarded both in Orange County and throughout the State for his experience, leadership and courage. On a personal note, I am thankful for his friendship and his commitment to the City of Costa Mesa. We are all better for knowing him. Congratulations to Fire Chief Dan Stefano on this incredible accomplishment.”
With a far reaching and diverse range of organizations in the nomination process, CalChiefs ensures a wide-ranging and all-inclusive perspective when selecting inductees, highlighting the significance of each Fire Chief’s induction. By creating this Hall of Fame, CalChiefs brings public awareness to the sacrifices and dedication of the premier leaders in the fire service industry and inspiring others to follow suit.
For more on the CalChiefs Hall of Fame please visit this website https://www.calchiefs.org/page/halloffame.