Arcadia City Manager Dominic Lazzaretto has appointed Michael E. Lang to the position of Arcadia Fire Chief. Lang is currently the Deputy Fire Chief in the Arcadia Fire Department and will succeed Chief Kurt Norwood who announced his retirement in June. The appointment will be effective July 10, 2016.
“I am humbled and honored to be trusted with the responsibility of leading the men and woman of the Arcadia Fire Department,” said Lang. “I appreciate the support of the city manager and city council, and their confidence in my ability to maintain the highest standards of excellence and professionalism that the men and women of the Arcadia Fire Department exemplify.”
A distinguished 21-year veteran of the fire service, Lang began his career in 1995 as an ambulance operator and fire intern with City of Huntington Beach, and was selected to become a firefighter/paramedic with the City Adelanto/San Bernardino County Fire Department in 1997. In 1999, Mike was awarded the Medal of Valor for his heroic actions on scene of a gunshot wound incident. He joined the City of Arcadia Fire Department in 2000 and rose through the ranks to serve as fire captain in 2004 and then as battalion chief in 2011. In June 2014, Lang was promoted to deputy fire chief, where he has been responsible for operations of the department, including emergency response, training, and ensuring best practices are maintained in accordance with the department’s Class 1 Fire Suppression rating.
“Mike is exceptionally qualified and I am confident that he will be successful as Arcadia’s new fire chief,” said City Manager Dominic Lazzaretto. “Over the past few years, I have seen that Mike is conscientious, creative, and dedicated to fire services in this community. He was the obvious choice to be the next leader of the Arcadia Fire Department.”
Lang is active within his community and church, and enjoys coaching little league baseball and AYSO soccer teams. When asked about his new role, he said, “I look forward to the personal and professional challenges that come with this wonderful opportunity for me and my family.”
Chief Lang is a certified paramedic, state fire marshal chief officer, has an associate’s degree in fire technology, and a bachelor’s in occupational studies from Cal State University, Long Beach. Mike is a long-time resident of Monrovia, where he lives with his wife of 21 years, Desiree, and their three children Jake, Andy, and Annika.
