SF Fire Chief Joanne Hayes-White to retire next spring

SF Fire Chief Joanne Hayes-White to retire next springChief Joanne Hayes-White (left). | Photo: Dennis Herrera/Flickr
Teresa Hammerl
Published on October 22, 2018

San Francisco Fire Department Chief Joanne Hayes-White has announced her retirement, the Chronicle reports.

According to the SFFD, Hayes-White was sworn in by Mayor Gavin Newsom as the 25th chief of the department 14 years ago, on January 16, 2004. SFFD also states that San Francisco is the largest urban fire department in the world with a female chief.

Chief Hayes-White's retirement was announced to staff members via email today, the Examiner reports.

"As I reflect on my career with the San Francisco Fire Department, it is with excitement and a sense of pride that I inform you of my intent to retire in the spring," Hayes-White wrote in the email. "It has been an honor and privilege to serve the San Francisco Fire Department since 1990."

Hayes-White plans to remain in her position until next spring to give Mayor London Breed time to find a replacement. She added that she aims to retire on May 5, 2019, which would have been the late Mayor Ed Lee's 67th birthday. 

Prior to her appointment, Hayes-White served as the director of training for the SFFD and was appointed assistant deputy chief in 1998.