Sacramento appoints new city fire chief, a 27-year Fire Department veteran
Sacramento has a new fire chief.
Chris Costamagna, a 32-year fire veteran who on Sunday marked 27 years with the Sacramento Fire Department and who most recently served as deputy fire chief of technical services, was announced Monday as the 23rd fire chief in city history.
City Manager Howard Chan appointed Costamagna to the role, according to a city news release, with the promotion taking effect immediately.
“I am incredibly proud and grateful for this opportunity to lead the Sacramento Fire Department and serve our residents in this important role,” Costamagna said in a prepared statement. “SFD is made up of brave, courageous people who do everything they can to keep our communities safe and protected, and under my watch, we will continue to build upon this legacy of excellence.”
Costamagna’s experience within the department includes expertise in “fire prevention, fleet, logistics, communications, information technology and urban search and rescue,” city officials wrote.
Costamagna also responded to the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks, taking a cross-country flight to New York City on his sixth anniversary with the Sacramento Fire Department, he recalled last year.
The new chief replaces predecessor Gary Loesch, who said he was fired by the city this spring.
Loesch in late May filed a claim against the city claiming he was wrongfully terminated and intentionally exposed to COVID-19, preparing a lawsuit that his attorney said would seek $10 million in damages.
Leyne Milstein, an assistant city manager, served as interim fire chief after the ouster of Loesch, who had come to Sacramento by way of the Philadelphia Fire Department in fall 2018.
Costamagna was selected after a nationwide recruitment process, according to the city’s news release.
He will oversee a department that has more than 700 employees and a $173 million annual budget.
