Following the announcement this week that San Francisco Fire Chief Joanne Hayes-White will be retiring, Mayor London Breed and the city's Fire Commission on Wednesday announced that plans to hire a new chief are already underway.
At the Fire Commission's meeting, Commission President Ken Cleaveland revealed that Breed could appoint a new chief sometime early next year.
Under the plan, a 21-day public application period to seek diverse candidates will be held.
After the city's Department of Human Resources checks that the candidates are qualified, the commission will begin interviews.
The commission hopes to present Breed with a pool of candidates by late January or early February.
"The process to decide the next fire chief is one of the most important tasks for which our commission is responsible," Cleaveland said in a statement.
"We will engage in a comprehensive vetting process so that Mayor Breed has all the information she needs to make an informed decision on this critical role."
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Breed said in a statement, "While anyone may apply, I feel strongly that whoever I choose must have a comprehensive understanding of the unique aspects of San Francisco, from our dense corridors to the ever-present threat of earthquakes. Our next Fire Chief must be ready on day one."
Hayes-White announced on Monday that she would be retiring after a nearly 15-year run as fire chief.
Hayes-White, who has worked with the San Francisco Fire Department since 1990, said her retirement would only be finalized once a replacement chief is selected.
