Chief Javiar Mainar

Javier Mainar, a firefighter with thirty-four years of experience in the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department, became San Diego’s sixteenth fire chief on October 19, 2009.

Immediately prior to becoming Fire Chief, Mainar spent three years as Assistant Fire Chief for Support Services.  In that capacity, he oversaw Logistics, Fire Communications, Fire Prevention and Fiscal and Administrative Services.

Chief Mainar began his career as a firefighter and rose through the ranks to Division Chief in Operations.  He also held assignments as a supervising fire and bomb investigator with the Metro Arson Strike Team (MAST); Human Resources Officer; and Plans Officer for the Urban Search and Rescue Team (USAR).

During the October 2007 wildfires, Mainar was the City’s Incident Commander, directing the firefighting operations within the city in the largest wildfire in San Diego’s history.

In making the appointment of Mainar to be Chief, Mayor Jerry Sanders said “I couldn’t be happier to have someone of Javier’s talents taking the helm of our Fire-Rescue Department. This is a man who enjoys the respect of virtually everyone from his fellow employees to other top fire officials around the state.”

As Chief, he directs a department of more than 1200 firefighters, lifeguards, paramedics, emergency medical technicians and civilian personnel with a budget just over $200,000,000.

Mainar has an Associate degree in Fire Science from Miramar College and a B.A. in Public Administration from San Diego State University.  In addition, Chief Mainar holds numerous fire service management certificates and certifications.

Chief Mainar is 56 years old and resides in Rancho San Diego.  He has two daughters and a son who is also a firefighter in the department.  In his off-duty time, Chief Mainar enjoys motorcycle riding, hiking, biking and supporting his children in their many areas of interest.