Micheal Despain, M.A., EFO, CFO, MIFireE

Chief Despain brings over 37 years of fire/EMS experience in the public safety field, serving as fire chief for the City of Clovis (CA) and the City of Lincoln (NE). He has also served as interim fire chief for the cities of Fresno (CA), Rocklin (CA), Piedmont (CA), as well as a second time serving Lincoln (NE). Most recently he has been serving as a contract interim deputy chief for the City of Redmond (WA).

Micheal has served as a subject matter expert and consultant on fire and EMS deployment projects for the U.S. Fire Administration and Center for Public Safety Excellence, and has been part of the Fitch team since 2015. He has also served as a board member for the League of California Cities and California Fire Chiefs Association, developing policy and legislation for numerous state and national fire service issues.