Mike Silva Earns Permanent Fire Chief Job

The Mission City Council voted unanimously to promote interim fire chief Mike Silva to the permanent post at its meeting held on January 27.

 

 

City manager Mike Perez recommended Silva to the council for the chief position after working closely with him over the last two months.

 

“His knowledge of the department, addressing problems as they arise in a timely manner, he keeps me informed of any major events, his knowledge of the fire department budget,” Perez said, listing his reasons for his endorsement. “Mike has demonstrated good management and leadership.”

 

“I think he’s very passionate about the fire department,” Perez added. “When people have passion, they notice everything because it’s not work for them. It’s not just one thing about Mike that got him the job, it’s a bunch of different things and he earned it.”

 

Mayor Norie Gonzalez Garza echoed Perez’s praise for Silva.

 

“He’s been very responsive to any questions,” Gonzalez Garza said. “He’s working well with city management, and he keeps the city council informed on any major events.

 

“He’s demonstrated that he’s a good leader,” the mayor added.

 

 

Silva addressed the council after the vote was finalized and received a round of applause from fellow firefighters and city employees. He now manages six stations located throughout the city and leads the city’s EMS service.

 

“It is truly an honor to represent the men and women you see behind me,” Silva said. “Of course, we have a lot more but they are out providing great service to our community right now and unfortunately they could not be here.

 

“As you know since November when you appointed me the interim fire chief, I hit the ground running and we made a lot of changes,” Silva said, adding that the morale of the department had improved. “Thank you to the mayor, the council, and the city manager for being very supportive of our organization.”

 

Silva has 26 years of experience and previously served as president of the Mission Firefighters Association. The union will now be led by Leroy Garcia.

 

Both the mayor and city manager said they have received emails from Garcia asking when meetings for union negotiations will begin on next year’s contract.

 

Silva almost didn’t get the job when councilman Ruben Plata accidently made a motion to name Mike Perez, the city manager, as the new fire chief.

 

“I so move to offer the position as the city of Mission fire chief to our interim fire chief Mike Perez,” Plata said, as laugher erupted in the meeting room.

 

“Michael Silva!” said Gonzalez Garza, while chuckling.

 

“Yes, to Mike Silva, I’m so sorry,” Plata said, laughing.

 

Silva was named interim fire chief after the sudden departure last fall by former chief Adrian Garcia. The top job has seen turnover for the past eight years, with three fire chiefs leaving in that time period. All three cited disagreement with Silva as the union president as the reason for their departure. The mayor has previously stated that her priority is to stabilize the fire department with Silva at the helm.