Executive & Command Staff
Thank you for visiting our District website. Here at the District we take the health and safety of our community members and their property very seriously. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions, concerns, comments or compliments.
Fire Chief
Mark LorenzenChief Lorenzen joined the Menlo Park Fire Protection District in February 2022, after serving for thirty-one years with the Ventura County Fire Department, where he spent the last ten years as Fire Chief. During his time in Ventura County, Chief Lorenzen led critical responses to major incidents, including the 2017 Thomas Fire (the largest fire in California history at the time), 2018 Borderline shooting and the Woolsey Fire. He also served as a Safety Officer and Division Group Supervisor on a Federal Incident Management Team.
As the Fire Chief for the Menlo Park Fire Protection District, Chief Lorenzen is responsible for the general management and oversight of the District. He has a healthy inclination to question the status quo and continuously seeks ways to improve the services we provide our communities.
Chief Lorenzen has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Economics from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and a Master's in Public Administration from California State University, Dominguez Hills. He is also a licensed Certified Public Accountant and a graduate of the National Fire Academy's Executive Fire Officer Program.
A former 52-year resident of Santa Barbara, Chief Lorenzen now lives in Menlo Park and has three grown children.
Deputy Fire Chief
Dan CoyleChief Coyle has served the Menlo Park Fire District since 2002. He has held every operational rank from Firefighter, Captain, Battalion Chief, Division Chief and Deputy Chief, including being a paramedic for 16 years.
Growing up in San Mateo County and attending Carlmont High School, Chief Coyle then earned a Bachelors of Science degree in Physiology from UC Davis. He returned to higher education in 2009, completing a Master's degree in Emergency and Disaster Management.
Chief Coyle also serves on the FIRESCOPE Task Force, focusing on technical search and rescue. In addition, he serves as a Task Force Leader on FEMA's California Task Force 3 and OES Swiftwater 3, with multiple deployments to incidents of national significance as a rescue specialist and boat operator.
Passionate about operational excellence, team development, and community resilience, Chief Coyle balances his professional dedication with his family life, enjoying activities such as skiing, mountain biking, and rafting with his wife and two sons.
Division Chief - Training
Todd EllisChief Ellis has served the Menlo Park Fire District since 2002. His current role is the Division Chief of Training, EMS, and Fleet. He started his fire service career in 1996 as a volunteer firefighter in the Santa Cruz Mountains and became a licensed paramedic with AMR Santa Cruz in 2000 before joining Menlo Park Fire.
In 2016, Chief Ellis transitioned to the Training Division as a Training Captain, where he took on a leadership role in the county fire academy and directed multiple recruit academies. His commitment to professional development and operational excellence led to his promotion to Division Chief in 2020.
As a California State Certified Instructor, Chief Ellis actively contributes to the advancement of fire service education. He serves on the Fire Advisory Board for the College of San Mateo and as Secretary for the San Mateo County Training Officers Group. Currently, he is leading the design and development of a state-of-the-art training facility on the site of the new Station 1 property, ensuring the next generation of firefighters is equipped with top-tier resources and training.
Division Chief - Operations
Ehren MacDonald Chief MacDonald began his career in the fire service in 2002 with the Menlo Park Fire Protection District. He has demonstrated strong leadership, advancing through the ranks to his current role as Division Chief of Operations. His previous key roles include Fire Captain and District Vice President for IAFF Local 2400.
Chief MacDonald holds a Bachelor of Science in Animal Physiology and Neuroscience from the University of California, San Diego, bringing a distinct academic foundation to his fire service leadership. He also serves as the Chair of the San Mateo County Operations Group, where he coordinates multi-agency collaboration, aligning countywide strategies and best practices to improve emergency response and community protection across jurisdictions.
Beyond the uniform, Chief MacDonald is a proud father of three and a devoted husband, actively supporting his children's athletic pursuits and his wife's passion for fitness.
Fire Marshal
Gage SchliceChief Schlice joined the Menlo Park Fire Protection District in April 2025. He began his career in 2003 as a seasonal firefighter with the California Department of Forestry - Riverside County. He worked at rural and city fire stations throughout Riverside County until he left to join the Petaluma Fire Department in 2011 and then the San Bruno Fire Department in 2018. In 2019, Chief Schlice was promoted to Fire Marshal at San Bruno Fire Department and oversaw and implemented all regulatory inspection and planning programs, public education, special events, and fire investigations.
Chief Schlice is a member of the planning committee for the California Fire Prevention Institute (CFPI), the International Association of Fire Chiefs Fire and Life Safety Board, the Northern California Fire Prevention Officers Association, and the California Conference of Arson Investigators.
Chief Schlice has an Associate Degree in Fire Protection Technology from Palomar College and a Bachelor of Science in Fire Administration from Columbia Southern University. He is also a California State Certified Fire Officer and Chief Officer.
Administrative Services Director
Francine HuntFrancine joined the Menlo Park Fire Protection District in 2021. As the Administrative Services Director, she brings over 25 years of experience in the public sector. Her responsibilities include overseeing Finance, Human Resources, IT, Capital Improvement projects, and Board Administration.
With a strong background in public service, Francine's expertise encompasses astute financial stewardship, ensuring effective resource allocation to support the District's mission and its team. She also brings significant experience in labor relations, skillfully managing contract negotiations and developing sound, employee-focused policies that cultivate positive organizational relationships. Francine is deeply committed to fostering employee success and cultivating an inclusive environment where every employee feels valued, heard, and empowered.
Francine earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Human Resources Management from California State University, Chico. A California native, Francine resides in the Bay Area with her husband, her daughter Sofia (when she is home from UCLA), and their beagle, Libby.
Command Staff
