McCann Appoints Davidson to Fire Chief

When Mill Valley Fire Chief Greg Moore late last month, he emphasized that he was leaving the department in very good hands.

In doing so, he said he was thinking about all of the battalion chiefs, captains and firefighters who’d moved up the ranks over the years. But when it came down to who he hoped City Manager Jim McCann would choose to replace him, Moore had one guy in mind.

McCann and Moore were on the same page, as McCann said today that he has appointed Battalion Chief Jeff Davidson as the new fire chief.

“He’s exactly the person I hoped Jim McCann would pick for the job – he’s perfect,” Moore said.

Davidson, a Drake High grad and fourth generation Marin resident who lives in Novato with his wife Leona George-Davidson, is a 32-year veteran of the Mill Valley Fire Department and has been a battalion chief since 1989. He serves as the city’s fire prevention officer and oversees its emergency operations center.

“We are very fortunate to have a professional with his depth of knowledge and talent to assume the top leadership role,” McCann said. “I am confident Jeff will continue the traditions of outstanding preparation and service, which are the cornerstones of our fire department.”

Davidson, who began his career in Mill Valley in 1979 after three years as a volunteer firefighter in Fairfax, said he was honored and humbled to be the city’s new fire chief.

“I look forward to maintaining the high quality of services that the members of our Fire Department provide to keep residents, businesses, and visitors safe, including our work in community awareness of fire prevention, disaster preparedness and evacuation planning,” he said in a statement.

Moore said he had no doubt that would be the case.

“Jeff will not only keep the department at a high level of professionalism, but he’ll take the department to an even higher level,” said Moore, whose last day with the department is Oct. 28.

Moore said Davidson had also been a great friend over the years, despite the inherent competitiveness in coming up through the ranks together.

“He was the first one to call me to congratulate me after I was ,” Moore said. “That’s the kind of guy he is.”

Davidson will be sworn in at the next regularly scheduled City Council meeting on Nov. 7.