By Mark Arner
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
For the second time this month, the Chula Vista City Council has hired a new fire chief: This time he's a 44-year-old deputy chief from Boise, Idaho, with more than two decades of firefighting experience.
Last week, the city announced the hire of a Tucson fire chief, but that candidate changed his mind the following day and bowed out.
David Hanneman said Tuesday from Idaho that he was serious about becoming Chula Vista's new fire chief. “Yes, absolutely. That's my plan,” he said.
Hanneman said he was raised in Southern California, in the city of Montclair, about 40 miles east of Los Angeles. He is married and plans to move with his wife to San Diego County when he starts the new job in mid-November. He will be paid a base annual salary of $161,000. Hanneman will manage a $23 million annual budget and oversee a staff of 117 firefighters and nine fire stations. He replaces Douglas Perry, who retired in December 2007 after 11 years with the department.
Steve Miller, president of the Chula Vista Firefighters Association, could not be reached to comment about Hanneman's selection. However, a week ago, Miller said he had interviewed the two finalists for the fire chief's position and was pleased with both of them.
Hanneman brings more than 24 years of firefighting and emergency medical services experience to the new position. He began his fire service career in 1984 as a volunteer firefighter and emergency medical technician with the Cole-Collister Fire District, located just outside Boise. He was hired by the city of Boise Fire Department in 1988 and has worked his way up through the ranks. As deputy chief and fire marshal, he now manages the department's fire prevention efforts and serves as its public information officer. He also helps supervise 200 firefighters, manage a $15 million annual operating budget and run 15 fire stations.
Hanneman has two teenage children, aged 16 and 18, from a previous marriage, and said both plan to continue living with his former wife in Boise.
