Harold Schapelhouman Oral History

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About the Interview

The interview spans two extensive sessions with Menlo Park Fire District Chief Harold Schapelhouman, who reflects on his life, career, and leadership in both firefighting and disaster preparedness. In the first session, he recounts his early life and work—from his Canadian roots, childhood jobs, and diverse work experiences to his gradual entry into the fire service in 1981. He describes the rigorous, “old school” training and the tough, para-militaristic culture of early firefighting in Menlo Park, detailing his progression from a probationary firefighter through captain and into management. Schapelhouman explains how the department’s strict discipline, frequent rotations, and competitive promotion environment shaped his character and work ethic. He also touches on challenges such as limited resources, the evolving mutual aid system, and the importance of maintaining high standards in service despite internal and external pressures.

In the second session (Part A), the focus shifts to disaster preparedness and response. Schapelhouman explains that his first exposure to disaster exercises in the early 1980s—using outdated, war-era plans—sparked his interest in updating and modernizing emergency protocols. He describes his proactive efforts to study real disasters (like the Loma Prieta earthquake and the Oakland Hills fire), collaborate with local agencies, and develop innovative practices. A major theme is his role in building Menlo Park’s Urban Search and Rescue (US&R) capability, despite the small size of his department. Through creative problem-solving, resourcefulness (even repurposing discarded equipment), and forging multi-agency partnerships, his team evolved into a nationally recognized US&R task force that responded to major events such as the Oklahoma City bombing, Hurricane Katrina, and others.

Throughout both sessions, Chief Schapelhouman emphasizes the value of technical mastery, continual learning, and a strong sense of duty. He reflects on the evolution of firefighting—from rigid, rule-bound beginnings to more collaborative and adaptive approaches in disaster response—and underscores the necessity of stable leadership, proper funding, and integrated planning to protect communities against both everyday emergencies and large-scale disasters.