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.”…