Portland Fire Chief Announces Retirement After 27 Years

Portland, Maine - City Manager Jon Jennings announced today that Fire Chief David Jackson is set to retire at the end of this month. Jackson has served as Chief of the Fire Department since February 2016 and was Acting Chief for four months prior to that. Chief Jackson has been with the Portland Fire Department for more than 27 years.


“Chief Jackson has had an impressive and long career with the Portland Fire Department,” said City Manager Jon Jennings. “It’s been a pleasure working with him for the last two and a half years, and I’m really grateful that he stepped up to the Chief’s role when we needed him. I wish him all the best in his retirement and future endeavors.”


“I’m so proud and honored to have served as Chief of this great department,” said Chief David Jackson. “It’s been a pleasure to have worked everyday serving this great community and to watch our men and women provide such a crucial service. I know the people of Portland are in good hands.”


Jackson started with the Portland Fire Department in July 1990 as a firefighter. In 2000, he was promoted to Lieutenant serving mostly out of the Stevens Avenue station on Ladder 3. In 2004, he was promoted to Captain and assigned to Ladder 1 at Munjoy Hill and then back at Ladder 3 in 2005. In 2010, he was promoted to Deputy Chief and worked as Special Operations Chief which focuses mainly on the Air Rescue and Marine Division operations. In 2011, he transferred on to a platoon, focusing on emergency response along with administrative duties. In June 2014, he was promoted to Assistant Chief of Emergency Operations where he oversaw all personnel that serve and respond to emergencies and department training.


The City Manager is working to appoint an interim chief and will make that announcement as soon as possible.