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Fire Chief Bill Tyler Retires After Three Decades of Service
Chief Tyler announces retirement
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 18, 2025
Novato Fire Chief Bill Tyler Retires After Three Decades of Service
Novato, CA – Novato Fire Protection District Chief Bill Tyler has announced his retirement, marking the end of an extraordinary career dedicated to protecting the community and advancing fire prevention.
Chief Tyler began his fire service career in 1994 as a paid call trainee with the Tamalpais Fire Protection District in unincorporated Mill Valley. He joined Novato Fire in 1996 as a firefighter-paramedic. His passion for community fire safety led him into fire prevention, where he excelled in the positions of fire inspector, deputy fire marshal, and later fire marshal. In January 2018, he was appointed fire chief, guiding the district with steady leadership and a strong focus on wildfire preparedness.
Now in his 8th year as Novato’s Fire Chief, he has overseen staffing changes, bringing in 62 new hires and promoting 42 employees, modernizing the agency’s career development guide, updating its Standards of Cover documents and twice updating its Strategic Plan. Chief Tyler led key initiatives such as the construction of its new training tower and adding a full-time training captain supporting its training cadre. He initiated the district’s first Behavioral Health Program, Cancer Prevention Program and successfully negotiated through the challenging times of COVID-19, integrating required changes into its daily operations and EMS response.
Chief Tyler played a key role in the vision and successful execution of the Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority and the passage of Measure C, which brings in $200 million dollars over 10 years that is reinvested back into our communities, making Novato and Marin County safer and more fire adaptive.
In retirement, Chief Tyler looks forward to spending more time with family and pursuing personal interests. The Novato Fire District expresses its deepest gratitude for his service and leadership, which will continue to inspire for years to come.
Media Inquiries:
Lauren Galli
Fire Prevention Specialist
(415) 858-4863
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