Chidester Named New Fire Chief

City Manager James L. Armstrong has promoted Dan Chidester, operations division chief for the Fullerton Fire Department, to serve as the city’s new fire chief.

Chidester took over the reins of the department Monday, filling the vacancy left when former Fire Chief Stephen P. Magliocco died of cancer in July. Chidester had served as acting fire chief during the city’s search for a permanent replacement.

A 27-year veteran of the department, Chidester said he looks forward to tackling several major projects in his new role as chief. He plans to look into the feasibility of adding ambulance service to the department’s paramedic program, and to determine whether a new fire station is needed in northwest Fullerton.

Chidester joined the Fire Department in 1973, a few years after he returned from service in Vietnam and the same year he earned his bachelor’s degree in business management from Cal State Fullerton. He has worked as a firefighter-paramedic, engineer, captain, battalion chief and division chief. He and his wife, Virginia, live in Fullerton and have two grown daughters.