Fire chief Dan Hurlock announces retirement

DOWNEY – Downey fire chief Dan Hurlock will retire at the end of this year, capping a 25-year career in fire service, the city announced.

“It has been an honor of a lifetime to be part of the Downey team, leading the fire department in the city I grew up in,” Hurlock said.

Raised in Downey, Hurlock graduated from Downey High School and then Rio Hondo College Fire Academy. He became an auxiliary firefighter for the Santa Fe Springs Fire Department in 1999 before joining the Downey Fire Department in April 2000.

Hurlock was selected to go to paramedic school in 2002 and was a top student, and delivered the class speech at graduation. Over the next two decades he rose through the ranks from firefighter to captain, battalion chief and fire chief in January 2021.

Under his leadership, the Downey Fire Department facilitated the construction of the four new Downey fire stations, expanded the city’s emergency response programs, coordinated with Downey Unified School District to deliver fire safety education to elementary students, upgraded the city’s Records Management and CAD Systems, implemented a Tactical Emergency Medical Services program to respond with Police Department on tactical incidents, implemented the Advanced Problem Solving (APS) online training program and dashboard, enhanced professional standards and data management, improved annual mandated fire training compliance, reduced review timelines for submitted fire plans, and implemented the Community Connect platform, which encourages residents to connect with the Downey Fire Department.

Additionally, Hurlock served as an active member of the Rotary Club of Downey, president of the Downey Police and Fire Foundation, coordinator for the Region I Operational Area E Fire Departments, vice president of the Los Angeles Area Fire Chiefs Association, and vice president of the Regional Training Group Joint Powers Authority.

“On behalf of the City Council, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to Chief Hurlock for his dedicated service and unwavering commitment to the Downey community,” said Mayor Mario Trujillo. “His tireless service has made a profound impact on the safety of our City. We are deeply grateful for his commitment and leadership.”

“Chief Hurlock has given many years of his life to the Downey community. It has been a pleasure to work with him during my time here with the City. He has led with dignity, professionalism, and competence. On behalf of the staff, he will be missed, but we wish him all the best as he transitions to his new adventures in retirement,” said City Manager Roger Bradley.

Currently, the Downey Fire Department has 110 personnel, comprised of 68 sworn and 42 nonsworn. A recruitment to find a new fire chief will be underway to ensure a seamless transition at the end of the year.