PASADENA, Calif. -- City Manager Michael Beck announced Monday the appointment of Calvin E. Wells as the City's Chief of the Pasadena Fire Department.
Chief Wells had been Interim Fire Chief since Sept. 26, 2011, following the retirement of former Chief Dennis J. Downs.
"Chief Wells is a career firefighter with more than 30 years of experience serving our community. He has extensive experience with the Pasadena Fire Department's operations and administration. He is the right choice to continue making Pasadena Fire a model fire department for others to replicate and look up to," Beck said.
Chief Wells joined the Pasadena Fire Department in 1979 and has served in numerous positions here during his 32-year fire service career, including, Firefighter, Fire Inspector, Fire Engineer, Fire Investigator, Fire Captain I, Fire Captain II, Battalion Chief, Assistant Fire Chief, Fire Bureau Chief and Deputy Fire Chief.
"It is an honor to be appointed as the next permanent Chief of the Pasadena Fire Department," Wells said. "Pasadena Fire has a great legacy of public service, saving lives and protecting property. As Chief, it will be my privilege to advance that commitment."
Wells has overseen the Department's Operations Bureau where he was responsible for all aspects of emergency service delivery. He also holds the title of Fire Marshal, overseeing the Prevention, Operations and Administration Bureaus. He began his career with the Los Angeles Fire Department in January 1978.
Wells is a graduate of the Carl Holmes Executive Development Institute at Dillard University, where he completed his Executive Fire Officer certification. He serves as an adjunct instructor at Pasadena City College, and has instructed at Glendale Community College and the Arroyo Seco Regional Fire Academy. He maintains active membership in numerous professional and trade organizations.
Wells resides in Pasadena with his wife, Rhanna, and their two children. He has served on the Board of Directors at the Pasadena Senior Center and currently serves on the Board of Directors for the First Tee Program of Pasadena. He enjoys coaching youth baseball and participating in competitive golf tournaments during his leisure time.
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