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Community Corner

Heine Tapped to Head Novato Fire

Twenty seven-year Novato Fire veteran selected from a pool of 34 applicants. His hiring caps a tumultuous six-month chapter following Mark Revere's resignation.

A Novato fireman who started at the bottom is now on top.

Mark Heine's slow and steady ascension through the ranks – a climb that spanned four decades – culminated with him being named chief by the Novato Fire Protection District's Board of Directors on Tuesday night.

Heine will head a staff 80 with a $27 million budget that serves 65,000 residents.

Heine was first hired by the department in 1986, two years after receiving a paramedic certificate from Stanford. He's served as a battalion chief the last 10 years after previous stints as engineer and captain.

He was selected from a pool of 34 candidates drawn from a nationwide search. Heine was among three finalists interviewed by the board at the end of a screening process that included a Firefighters Association representative and top administrators and police and fire chiefs in Marin County.

“While all 3 were outstanding individuals, the person that stood out as the best person to lead our department into the future was one of our own,” Board of Directors Present Farhad Mansourian said in a prepared statement.

“Mark Heine’s experience is very balanced with more than 25 years of firefighting, administrative and leadership experience. He has been very dedicated to the development of our firefighters and has a tremendous sense of community.”

His hiring marks the end of a turbulent a six-month chapter following Mark Revere's resignation that included allegations of intimidation and harassment and a six-figure settlement.

Heine was born in Redwood City and raised in Marin County, attending Terra Linda High. He received a bachelor's degree in occupational studies-emergency services management from Cal State Long Beach. Heine is a certified chief fire officer. He will complete a four-year executive fire officer program later this year.

The hiring process began in November after Revere's unexpected retirement.

The district in February paid out $251,695 to settle a $6 million lawsuit against the district alleging Revere and Deputy Chief Erick Nickel harassed, intimidated and retaliated against former Battalion Chief Michael Hughes. The settlement included no admission of liability.

Retired Marin County Fire Chief Ken Massucco has served as Novato's interim chief since Revere's departure.

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