Kyle Shipherd is being tapped as Manteca’s new interim fire chief.
Currently a supervisor within the four station department, Shipherd has served as the administrative battalion chief for the past seven years overseeing day-to day operations.  He will move into retiring Fire Chief Kirk Waters position next week
An ice cream social is planned Thursday from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Manteca Transit Center on Moffat Boulevard to celebrate Waters’ 29-year tenure with the fife department.
Shipherd is a graduate of the State Fire Marshal’s Chief Officer and Fire Prevention Officers’ programs.  He is also a graduate of Modesto Junior College and is currently attending Southern Columbia University.
Shipherd has served as a Strike Team Leader when called upon for mutual aid during the California wild fire season. Shipherd has led firefighters in more than 20 such emergencies as far away as Southern California.
He and his wife Michele are the parents of four children, Kent, 21; Olivia, 20; and Sarah, 16.
Kent is currently a firefighter following in the footsteps of his dad.  Olivia is a student at Stanislaus State University where she is majoring in History.  Sarah is currently attending Central Catholic High School hoping to become a civil engineer someday.  Her dad says she enjoys volleyball and horses. 
“We have been very blessed with all our kids,” Shipherd said. 
As a family, they enjoy going into the mountains on camping trips. His wife Michelle is the office manager of a dental office in Manteca.

To contact Glenn Kahl, email gkahl@mantecabulletin.com.