New fire chief named for North Tahoe Fire Protection District

The North Tahoe Fire Protection District has announced the appointment of Steve Leighton as its new fire chief.

Chief Leighton was appointed by the Board at its April 27 meeting. He replaces the retiring Chief Mike Schwartz, who served as North Tahoe’s Fire Chief since 2012.

Leighton is a 29-year veteran of the fire service and has served as North Tahoe Fire’s Division Chief of Operations until his promotion to Assistant Chief in 2020. Leighton was promoted to Acting Chief this January, and his appointment to Fire Chief became effective May 1, 2021. He holds degrees in Public Relations, Fire Science Technology, and holds a nationally accredited Chief Fire Officer certification. As Fire Chief, Leighton brings a strong fire service background, having spent more than 20 years as the Division Chief of Operations for the Reno Fire Department, where he managed all areas of the Department, including the hazardous materials, technical rescue, and water entry teams.

“It is a pleasure and honor to accept the appointment of the Fire Chief for the North Tahoe Fire Protection District,” said Chief Leighton. “I am extremely proud of this organization, and the hard work our members do on a daily basis.”

He will also serve as the fire chief for Meeks Bay Fire Protection District.

North Tahoe Fire (NTF) is an all-hazard emergency organization, which requires its firefighters to be proficient in wildland firefighting, structural firefighting, backcountry/technical rescue, swift and shore-zone water rescue, hazardous
materials mitigation, and emergency medical services.

During Schwartz’s nine-year tenure with North Tahoe Fire, his priorities were to improve personnel, apparatus, facilities, and finances. He successfully increased staffing from 28 full-time employees to 65, while modernizing the District’s fleet and facilities. He inherited a post-recession budget of $9.6 million that he grew
to just over $17 million. The District’s service area grew to include the west shore via contract for service with Meeks Bay Fire Protection District in 2014. Prior to his retirement, Schwartz renewed a 15-year agreement to continue to provide service to Alpine Meadows via contract with the Alpine Springs County Water District.

Schwartz, who had nearly 30 years in the fire service prior to joining North Tahoe Fire, is a firm believer that good leadership includes succession planning. He is pleased the Board was able to execute a succession plan that’s been a year in the works.

“We are a value-based organization, and I’m proud of the accomplishments
we’ve made,” said Chief Schwartz (Ret.). “The District’s standing as a leader in the Basin and in the region is a result of our fantastic people, who exemplify service and values in all they do.”

Schwartz is retiring to travel and to spend more time with his grandchildren. He serves as a Fire Adapted Community Leader and will remain an active member of the Tahoe community.