Assistant Deputy Chief Thomas Harvey, appointed to the position of San Francisco Fire Marshal in 2011, entered the San Francisco Fire Department in 1982. During his 30 years of service, he has served the Department in many capacities including Firefighter, Chief's Aide, Lieutenant in Fire Supression and Prevention, and Captain assigned to the Bureaus of Fire Prevention and Investigation. Having graduated from San Francisco State University in 1991 with a B.A. in Design & Industry (with an emphasis on Fire Science), Tom has continued his professional development throughout his career, obtaining multiple building and fire code certifications with a focus on Fire Prevention and Investigation. In 2008, Tom was presented the Robert W. Gain California Fire Prevention Officer Award by the Western Fire Chief’s Association. He has served on the State Fire Marshal Fire and Life Safety Advisory Board and the California State Building Standards Plumbing, Electrical, Mechanical and Energy Subcommittee.
Chief Harvey is a certified State Fire Training Instructor. He continues with his support and involvement with the California Fire Chiefs’ Fire Prevention Officers’ Association. He had been a co-chair of the Fire Code Committee for this Organization and served on the Board of the Uniform Fire Code Association as a Treasurer and Board Member. He is also a FEMA certified Juvenile Firesetter Interventionist and counsels children regarding fire safety and firesetting activities.
Chief Harvey has worked on many special projects, including reviewing and developing the San Francisco Fire Code, coordinating the local Ordinance requiring retroactive installation of fire sprinklers in SRO (single residence occupancy) hotels, and making presentations to local Civic groups on fire prevention-related subject. Chief Harvey has represented the Fire Department on major projects such as the construction of Moscone Center West and Museum of Modern Art projects.
His current duties include supervision of the Bureau of Fire Investigation and the Fire Prevention Officers assigned to the Airport, Port of San Francisco, and the City.
