Chief Jesus “Jess” Magallanes began his career with the South San Francisco Fire Department in October 1996, when he was hired as an entry-level Firefighter. Soon after completing probation, Jess became an Acting Fire Apparatus Engineer and then started paramedic school as part of a countywide cohort to add paramedics to all fire engines in San Mateo County. He successfully completed his paramedic training and was promoted to Fire Captain in 2001. In 2008, Jess was promoted to Battalion Chief in charge of training, and in 2010, he transitioned to operations as the A-shift Battalion Chief, overseeing daily operations of five stations, eight emergency response units, and 25 personnel. In 2016, he was promoted to Deputy Fire Chief, and on April 17, 2018, after a nationwide search, he was promoted to Fire Chief.
Throughout his career, Jess has sought out unique assignments to develop his experience and leadership skills, essential for his role as Fire Chief. For ten years, he served as a member of FEMA California Task Force 3, deploying to the 9/11 terrorist attacks and Hurricane Katrina. Jess led a team that brought the first rescue boat to South San Francisco and helped design and equip the fire department’s first Urban Search and Rescue Vehicle, starting both programs without using any general fund dollars. He served as Co-Director for the Fire Branch of the 2011 Regional Urban Shield exercises, was a member of the Coast Guard Neptune Coalition and Bay Area Maritime Search and Rescue Council and held positions as Treasurer of the San Mateo County Training Chiefs Association and President of the San Mateo County Fire Chiefs Association.
As Chief, Jess has prioritized safety awareness, career development, exposure reduction, and behavioral health for his personnel. He takes great pride in the Fire Department's integral role in the community and appreciates its accomplishments in public education, assisting those in need, and building a strong, engaged Community Emergency Response Team.
Jess’ educational background and certifications underscore his dedication to the field and his preparedness to handle the diverse challenges faced by this dynamic city. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Berkeley. He is a California State Fire Marshal certified Chief Fire Officer, Company Officer, Fire Instructor, a California Incident Command Certified All-Risk Task Force Leader, and he has completed the San Mateo County Public Sector Leadership Academy.
Jess is honored to serve as the South San Francisco Fire Chief.