News: Fairfield FD Retirement - Chief Michael E. Smith

Chief Michael E. Smith - Announces retirement

Fairfield Fire Chief Michael E. Smith announced his retirement Tuesday after 30 years of service in fire service.

Chief Smith has been Fire Chief with the City of Fairfield since February 2003.

Smith will retire May 1 to begin a new chapter in his life, he said.

One of the first things he plans to do this summer is celebrate his 55th birthday and spend time participating in his hobby of drag racing.

"There are plenty of things I would like to do," Smith said. "I'm still young and healthy and I've made quite a contribution. Now it's time to open up and do something else."

About Chief Michael E. Smith -(1)

Michael E. Smith was born July 16, 1953, in Chicago, Illinois. He is the third child of four born to Walter and Theresa Smith. Michael was educated in the public elementary and high schools of Chicago. He attended the University of Wisconsin for one year after graduation from high school and later completed his education through the University of Phoenix, Northern California Campus, majoring in Management.

Chief Smith relocated from Chicago to San Jose in 1974, where he worked for Ford Motor Company and Food Machinery Corporation prior to entering the Monterey Fire Department in 1978. In 1981, Chief Smith became employed by the San Jose Fire Department as a Firefighter. He promoted to Fire Engineer, Fire Inspector, Captain, Battalion Chief, and Deputy Chief within the thirteen-year tenure with that department.

Chief Smith was appointed as the Fresno Fire Department Fire Chief on May 1, 1994. During Chief Smith's tenure in Fresno, he has emphasized community based fire protection through the A Friend Is Waiting program. A Friend Is Waiting opens local fire stations as short term safe houses to community members that feel threatened by either someone or a situation. Fire personnel have neighborhood specific directories of community and social services that can meet the need of the community member. Chief Smith also supports the Firefighters Creating Memories program.

Chief Smith has been a member of the Board of Directors for the Red Cross of Fresno-Madera Counties and the United Way of Fresno County. He is currently a member of Rotary International and the KSEE-TV 24 Community Advisory Board. Chief Smith is a member of the International Association of Fire Chiefs and current Vice Chair of the Metro Chief Section. He is also a member of the National Fire Protection Association. Chief Smith has been Fire Chief with the City of Fairfield since February 2003.

Chief Smith is married to Zella Smith and has three children; Deseray, 25; Brandon, 21; and Danielle, 19; one grandchild, Zenaysiah, 7.