Fire Chief Steve Lieberman has announced his retirement. Lieberman will leave the agency in December 2023, and a recruitment process to fill the fire chief position will begin shortly.
Appointed in December 2014, Lieberman completed long-term and strategic planning, financial analysis and supported the Five Cities Fire Authority’s evolution in terms of sustainability, increasing full-time staffing levels, improving public information and replacing obsolete equipment and vehicles. Chief 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 support with an Area Command Team.
FCFA Chief Executive Officer Matthew Bronson 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. Chief Lieberman’s deep-seated commitment to the Five Cities area is unparalleled and we are grateful for his many years of service. We will shortly begin a recruitment process to hire the next chief and continue advancing the Five Cities Fire Authority in service to our local communities.”
Chief Lieberman shared, “I began my community involvement as a member of the Grover City Volunteer Fire Department in the early 1990s. 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. 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.”