Redwood City announced last week the appointment of Baraka Carter as its new fire chief.

Carter, who is set to begin his term Feb. 24, brings 25 years of experience as a fire service executive. According to the city’s announcement, he previously led Cal Fire’s Santa Clara Unit, the South Santa Clara County Fire District, and the Morgan Hill Fire Department.

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“Chief Carter is a dedicated, accomplished, and collaborative leader whose expertise and innovative approach will elevate fire services in both Redwood City and San Carlos,” said Redwood City Manager Melissa Stevenson Diaz. “His proven ability to build strong teams, foster community trust, and lead with integrity will be invaluable as we continue our commitment to public safety and service excellence. I particularly appreciate his track record in effective community engagement and welcoming community members into the fire service.”

The city selected Carter from a nationwide pool of candidates to succeed interim Fire Chief Ray Iverson, who has served since 2021 and retired last December. Carter’s appointment follows a search that began last August.

According to a city press release, Carter oversaw fire operations for “more than 1.3 million acres across five counties, managed multimillion-dollar budgets, and led diverse teams to deliver high-quality emergency services.”

Carter led efforts to strengthen collaboration between Cal Fire, other state departments, local agencies, and community organizations, according to the city announcement.

“He built strong working relationships to enhance services while ensuring the fire department remains responsive and inclusive,” the city said. “His leadership philosophy emphasizes employee wellness, health, safety, teamwork, community engagement, and inclusivity, ensuring that fire services are effective and adapted to residents’ needs.”

The Redwood City Fire Department also serves San Carlos, which contracts with Redwood City for fire services.

Redwood City, the county seat of San Mateo County, has a population of about 80,000, while San Carlos is home to nearly 30,000 residents.

“I am deeply honored to join the Redwood City Fire Department and serve the residents of both Redwood City and San Carlos,” Carter said in a statement. “I look forward to building meaningful connections with the community, working collaboratively to ensure safety and preparedness, and advancing the department’s tradition of excellence.”