Schapelhouman at the command post table, working the night shift at the World Trade Center collapse in New York City.Photo Credit: CA Task Force 3 Looking out over the collapse on top of the Century Building in New York City, which was used as an elevated observation post.Photo Credit: CA Task Force 3 The last night 165 out of 168 people had been recovered from the Oklahoma City bombing. Schapelhouman pictured in the top back row under the M on the crane logo.Photo Credit: CA Task Force 3 Schapelhouman at the Dumbarton Rail Bridge Fire – The oldest bridge on the BayPhoto Credit: Harold Schapelhouman In New Orelans following Hurricane Katrina, Schapelhouman talks to FEMA Director Michael Brown the day before he was fired – He wanted to know how it was going.Photo Credit: CA Task Force 3 Schapelhouman and Task Force 3 on the 9th floor, removing concrete floor sections from the unstable south tower next to blast zone collapse area, after the Oklahoma City bombing. Pictured right coordinating three cranes.Photo: CA Task Force 3 Schapelhouman on the phone with the command post on the 9th floor of the Murrah Building, in what was left of the ATF offices after the Oklahoma City bombing.Photo Credit: CA Task Force 3 Schapelhouman attends the NATO Terrorism Meeting in Portugal and was published given his representation of the US Rescue Teams Approach to terror events. Photo Credit: Harold Schapelhouman Schapelhouman, center of the picture wearing the white helmet with the orange vest, on the radio in charge of the recovery of three victims buried in the debris after the Oklahoma City bombing.Photo: CA Task Force 3 Following Hurricane Katrina, CA Task Force 3 rescues a Jewish Tora.Photo Credit: CA Task Force 3 Schapelhouman's view from a helicopter of New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina.Photo Credit: CA Task Force 3 Menlo Park Fire Chief Harold Schapelhouman Schapelhouman with a NASA Shuttle Commander who thanked CA Task Force 3 for finding all of the remains from the February 1, 2003 Space Shuttle Columbia Disaster.Photo Credit: CA Task Force 3 Carl Kustin of San Mateo Fire Dept. coring the 9th floor slab of the partially-collapsed Murrah Building following the April 19, 1995 Oklahoma City bombing.Photo Credit: CA Task Force 3 Schapelhouman waves during a parade in Menlo Park. Schapelhouman next to the exploded high pressure PG&E natural gas pipeline in San Bruno. Chief Schapelhouman leading the Fire District’s 100th Anniversary parade down Santa Cruz Avenue in Menlo Park Photo Credit: Menlo Fire Schapelhouman speaks to the media following an Aircraft Crash on Beach Street in East Palo Alto that killed 3 Tesla executives. Schapelhouman rescues a two-year old trapped inside a bank vault in Redwood City, another delicate operation. Schapelhouman in New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina, on a special rescue mission pulling this elderly man and his wife out, he was well armed and wouldn’t leave. MENLO PARK, Calif. (KTVU) - Menlo Park Fire Chief Harold Schapelhouman's contract has been extended for up to three years by the fire district board, the chief said Saturday.
The board voted unanimously last week to extend the employment contract, starting July 1 and running through as late as July 1, 2021.
The chief started his career with the Fire District 38 years ago, in 1981.
He became chief in 2007.
Schapelhouman has seen his own share of personal challenges.
While trimming bushes in his back yard in 2013, he fell off a ladder, breaking his neck and becoming a quadriplegic.
He continues to fulfill his duties just as always, using a wheelchair.
"I truly feel so fortunate to be here each day," Schapelhouman said. "I love this organization, what it represents, and the people working here who do so many incredible things in service to our communities."
Bay City News contributed to this story.