San Bruno has tapped one of its own to lead the fire department, naming veteran firefighter Michael Ku as the city’s new fire chief, officials announced this week. Ku has been with the San Bruno Fire Department since 2005 and steps into the top job with more than 20 years of experience in emergency response and fire prevention. City leaders are framing the move as a continuity play that leans on deep local experience and solid technical skills.
City Manager Alex D. McIntyre made the appointment official and praised Ku’s track record, saying, “I am very excited to have Michael Ku fill this role.” In a press release from the City of San Bruno, McIntyre said he is confident in Ku’s ability to guide the department effectively.
Ku’s two decades in San Bruno include time on the front lines as a paramedic firefighter, followed by promotions to captain, battalion chief and acting fire marshal, according to the San Mateo Daily Journal. Before joining the city in 2005, he worked as an emergency medical technician and paramedic with American Medical Response. The Daily Journal also reports that the salary range for the chief’s position is $261,079 to $320,376.
What Ku brings to the job
Ku holds a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering from San Jose State University and carries certifications as a paramedic, strike team leader and technology advocate, according to a press release from the City of San Bruno. Calling the appointment “the greatest honor of my career,” Ku said his “focus is simple: develop the next generation of firefighters and leaders to serve the citizens of San Bruno and San Mateo County.”
The city credits Ku with securing grants, rolling out cost-saving measures that improved fire engine uptime, and overseeing the department’s regulatory compliance, positioning him as a blend of hands-on responder and behind-the-scenes problem solver.
Local outlook
City officials say Ku’s promotion keeps day-to-day leadership in-house and sets the department up to continue investing in training and technology. For residents, it means the fire service will be led by someone who has spent his career in San Bruno and brings both field experience and technical expertise to the role. According to the city, Ku is expected to work closely with county partners on regional response and fire prevention efforts.
