Redondo Beach selects new Fire Chief
Robert Metzger has been selected to take over from retired Fire Chief Dan Madrigal.
Florida fire chief Robert Metzger will replace Dan Madrigal as the Redondo Beach Fire Chief next month.
Currently serving as the fire chief for the Golden Gate Fire Control and Rescue District in Collier County, Florida, Metzger takes over the position starting in February and will also serve as the city’s harbor master.
Metzger was selected from a field of 48 candidates in a nationwide recruitment to replace Madrigal, who retired late last year. He will take over a Fire Department with a staff of 63 employees providing municipal fire protection and paramedic services.
The job also entails major operational responsibilities for King Harbor, emergency preparedness and movie/television production support.
Prior to his five years as fire chief in Golden Gate, Metzger served the City of Toledo, Ohio as the deputy fire chief. He has specialized professional experience in fire administration, water rescue, paramedic programs and heavy rescue.
“Bob was appointed to the job based on his demonstrated leadership, integrity and broad scope of expertise in the fire service,” said Redondo Beach City Manager Bill Workman.
Metzger received his Bachelor of Science degree in Fire Safety and Engineering from the University of Cincinnati, and a Master of Public Administration degree from Florida Gulf Coast University. He is a graduate of the Executive Fire Officer Program at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, MD.
He is the immediate past president of the Collier County Fire Chiefs’ Association in Florida and sits on the Board of Directors for the Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce. Metzger has served on the EMS Policy Advisory Board for Collier County and on the Board for the Safe and Healthy Children’s Coalition.