South County fire chief announces retirement after decade of ‘instrumental’ service
South County’s longtime fire chief announced his retirement from the Five Cities Fire Authority on Monday, according to a release from the agency.
Fire Chief Steve Lieberman, who was appointed to the role in December 2014, will leave the FCFA in December 2023, the release said.
The agency will now begin a recruitment process to fill the position.
During his nine years at the FCFA, Lieberman increased full-time staffing levels, improved public information and replaced obsolete equipment and vehicles, the release said. He also completed long-term and strategic planning, financial analysis and evolved the agency’s approach to sustainability, the release said.
“Chief Lieberman has been instrumental in shaping the Five Cities Fire Authority into the modern, professional, and high-quality fire and emergency medical service agency it is today,” Grover Beach City Manager Matthew Bronson said in the release. “Chief Lieberman’s deep-seated commitment to the Five Cities area is unparalleled and we are grateful for his many years of service.”
Lieberman also supported regional projects with the County of San Luis Obispo Fire Chiefs Association, the Office of Emergency Services, Emergency Medical Services Agency, the County Type III All-Hazards Incident Management Team and large-scale incident response with an Area Command Team, the release said.
Lieberman began his involvement with the Grover City Fire Department in the early 1990s prior to helming the FCFA, he said in the release.
“My wife and I have raised our family in the Five Cities area, and that sense of being a local resident has driven me to do what I believe to have been best for our communities in terms of fire and emergency response,” Lieberman said in the release. “I believe it is time for the next fire chief to bring strong operational experience, a willingness to engage in our communities and to do what is needed to further the evolution of the Five Cities Fire Authority.”
This story was originally published August 21, 2023 at 2:53 PM.
