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Garret Olson named Scottsdale fire chief
June 9, 2011
Contact: Sgt. Mark Clark, public information officer, (480) 312-1910
Garret Olson named Scottsdale fire chief
Garret Olson, a founding member of the Scottsdale Fire Department, was announced today as its new chief.
Olson had been serving as the interim chief since February. He replaces William McDonald who left last year to assume the fire chief’s position in San Jose, California.
“Garret has the experience, vision and leadership qualities needed to excel in this critical role,” said City Manager David Richert in announcing Olson’s selection. “He will enable an already outstanding department to continue setting the standard for fire service in the Valley.”
Olson joined Scottsdale in December 2004 when he was hired by McDonald to help build a municipal department to replace private Rural/Metro service. Olson served as the deputy chief of training and development for the department’s first two years. In early 2007, he became deputy chief of operations, overseeing all aspects of emergency response.
Partnering with Police Chief Alan Rodbell, Olson led the Fire Department’s reorganization efforts this winter to join police under the umbrella of public safety. Rodbell serves a dual role as police chief and public safety executive director.
“I look forward to working with Chief Olson in jointly addressing the future of Scottsdale’s public safety needs,” Rodbell said. “He brings tremendous experience and insight to the position.”
A second-generation fire chief, Olson's fire service career began more than 20 years ago as a 911 dispatcher in Long Beach, Calif. Olson’s father is the fire chief in Lynnwood, Wash., and is in his 44th year of fire service.
The younger Olson joined the Mesa Fire Department in 1990 and held positions of firefighter, fire engineer, fire captain, battalion chief and deputy fire chief. He was a certified paramedic and technical rescue technician. Olson was deployed to New York to assist as the liaison between the City of New York and the American Red Cross in the city’s Emergency Operations Center following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.
Olson holds a bachelor’s degree in business management and a master’s degree in organizational management. He is a graduate of the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer (EFO) program.
Olson serves on the board of directors for both the Rotary Club of Scottsdale and the Scottsdale Training and Rehabilitation Service (STARS). He and his wife, Susan, have one son, Mitch.
Olson credits the excellent service provided by Scottsdale firefighters and support staff for his ascension to chief. A recent survey found that 97 percent of Scottsdale citizens favorably approve of the Fire Department. That’s the highest rating among more than 200 communities polled by the survey.
“I am being afforded this opportunity to lead due to the great service provided by all members of this department, not just our firefighters but also our entire staff,” said Olson. “I’m very proud that my badge will say ‘Fire Chief,’ but truly I’m more proud of the fact that it continues to say ‘City of Scottsdale Fire Department. ’ ”
Olson will make $144,012 annually with no car allowance.
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