Merced native is the city’s new fire chief. Here’s his first priority
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Casey Wilson becomes Merced's ninth fire chief after serving as interim in 2024.
- Wilson prioritizes community and firefighter support as his first leadership focus.
- Wilson pledges 10-year term to boost leadership stability and department growth.
Casey Wilson, 40, has been named fire chief for the City of Merced.
Wilson, who has served as interim chief since April 2024, has over 22 years of experience with fire service.
“It really is an honor, and it’s been extremely humbling to be named as the fire chief for the Merced Fire Department,” Wilson said.
“(Wilson) has demonstrated outstanding leadership and we’re confident in his ability to lead the department into the future,” Merced’s City Manager Scott McBride said in a July 31 Facebook post announcing the move.
Wilson is a Merced native and a graduate of Le Grand High School and Merced College.
He has been credited with upgrading Engine 53, launching the city’s first new frontline unit in the last 65 years and adding two new Type One Engines.
Wilson said he is aiming to put people first as his top priority.
“That means the people of the community and the people of the Merced Fire Department,” he said.
Wilson is the ninth fire chief for the department. He views the biggest challenge facing Merced’s Fire Department as stability within leadership roles.
“It’s my commitment to serve as fire chief for the next 10 years, and I think that is going to provide some stability at the leadership level, and it’s really going to support the Merced Fire Department as we grow with the community,” Wilson said.
