GLENDALE, Calif. — Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna, known for his deep commitment to firefighter leadership, wellness and mentoring, died on Dec. 31, the California State Firefighters’ Association announced.
DiGiovanna, known to many as “Chief Sam,” served as the fire chief of the Verdugo Fire Academy in Glendale, California, and previously as the fire chief of the Monrovia Fire Department. He was frequently featured on local news as a recognized expert on fire incidents and fire safety and was a strong advocate for firefighter behavioral health and wellness through his work with multiple organizations.
Additionally, DiGiovanna served on the California State Firefighters Association Board of Directors and was a primary author for the California Fire Service Magazine and the CSFA Weekly Connection. A statement from the CSFA highlighted DiGiovanna’s honorable fire service career: “Chief Digiovanna was known for his unwavering commitment to public safety, his compassion for others, and his ability to inspire those around him to do great things in their careers and lives. ... His wisdom and kindness made a lasting impact on everyone who had the privilege to work with him.”
DiGiovanna was also a contributor to FireRescue1 and served as a market ambassador and author for Lexipol.
A statement from Lexipol reads: “Chief Sam leaves behind a legacy impacting thousands of recruits and firefighters throughout the country. At Lexipol he was a fierce advocate for firefighter wellness and supporting personnel through training and policies. We are grateful for his service and for the opportunity to call him a colleague and a friend.”
DiGiovanna’s FireRescue1 contributions reflected his decades of fire service experience and focused on leadership, firefighter wellness, policy and operational insights. His articles explored personal and professional development, including habits that supported healthier, more resilient responders and ways to navigate the emotional challenges of the job. He offered guidance on career advancement, examined the balance between competence and connections in promotions, and emphasized authentic leadership built through trust and face-to-face engagement. His work also addressed departmental practices, such as policy enforcement to reduce liability and chief officer responsibilities, like conducting effective inspections. He also tackled evolving operational issues, like the need to refresh training for electric vehicle fire responses, and cultural topics such as effective disagreement and communication in the firehouse. He also provided a chief’s perspective on major incidents, including wildfire events.
DiGiovanna is survived by his partner, Janet.
A scholarship fund benefiting students in the Verdugo Fire Academy has been created in DiGiovanna’s memory.
