At All Times, Service Above Self

California's New Fire Marshal & CDF Director Governor Schwarzenegger's appointments by Brian Humphrey LAFD Firefighter/Paramedic Dear Friend of the LA Fire Department: Kindly join the men and women of the Los Angeles Fire Department in welcoming our State's new Fire Marshal as well as the new Director of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

Governor Schwarzenegger's Press Release, issued late this morning, appears below:

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Governor Schwarzenegger Appoints Director of
Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
and State Fire Marshal

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June 25, 2004

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today announced the appointments of Dale Geldert as Director of the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and Ruben Grijalva as State Fire Marshal.

"It is a privilege to appoint Dale and Ruben to these important positions," said Governor Schwarzenegger. "Their diverse experience and passion for service gives me the confidence that California's wildlands and fire protection needs are in able hands."

Geldert most recently served as Fire Chief and Deputy City Manager for the City of Oceanside from 1992 to 2002. He was previously a State Forest Ranger II for the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection from 1988 to 1991 and County Fire Chief for the County of Merced from 1984 to 1988. Geldert was an international Fire Marshal and Deputy Fire Chief for the United States Department of State from 1982 to 1984, City and District Fire Chief for the City of Vacaville from 1979 to 1982, and served in the Fire Department for the City of Inglewood for 12 years, reaching the position of Battalion Chief before departing in 1979. He earlier served as a member of the California State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection, where he was chairman of the California Fire Protection Committee, and was chairman of the Firescope Northern Operations Committee. Geldert is a life member of the California State Firefighters Association and was a member of the California Fire Chiefs Association, the National Fire Protection Association, and the International Fire Chiefs Association. He previously served as an adjunct professor at Golden Gate University and adjunct instructor for the U.S. Department of State and the California State Training Institute.

"I am honored that Governor Schwarzenegger has entrusted me to direct the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection," said Geldert. "I look forward to working within this administration to manage and protect California's natural resources while ensuring superior fire protection for this great state."

Geldert earned a Master of Public Administration from the University of San Francisco, a Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration from the University of Redlands, and an Associate of Arts in Fire Administration from Los Angeles Harbor College. Geldert, 61, is a resident of Oceanside and a registered Republican. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $123,255.

Grijalva has served as the Fire Chief for the City of Palo Alto Fire Department since 1994, where he also previously served as Assistant Fire Chief from 1990 to 1994. Grijalva served in the Department of Public Safety for the City of Sunnyvale from 1976 to 1990. During this period he held positions in both the Police and Fire Divisions before serving as Fire Marshal from 1985 to 1990. Grijalva is past president of the Fire Chiefs Department for the League of California Cities, past president of the Santa Clara County Fire Chief's Association and a former member of the Uniform Fire Code Committee for the International Fire Code Institute. He is a member of the California League of Cities, the California Fire Chiefs Association and the International Association of Fire Chiefs.

"I am grateful to have been asked to serve as State Fire Marshal in Governor Schwarzenegger's administration," said Grijalva. "It has been my life's work to protect life and property through fire prevention and education, and I am excited to have the opportunity to serve the people of California in this capacity."

Grijalva has earned an Associate of Arts degree from San Jose City College and holds a number of Peace Officers Standards and Training Certificates including Advanced, Supervisory and Management. Grijalva, 49, is a resident of San Jose and a registered Republican. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $108,753.

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CDF) is dedicated to the fire protection and stewardship of over 31 million acres of non-federal wildlands, responding to emergencies, and protecting and enhancing forests, range lands and watersheds. CDF also negotiates more than 140 cooperative agreements annually with counties, cities and special districts to provide fully reimbursed fire protection services to local governments. The Department's firefighters, fire engines, and aircraft respond to an average 6,300 wildland fires each year. The Department also responds to medical aids of all types, hazardous material spills, swiftwater rescues, search and rescue missions and civil disturbances. CDF's mission emphasizes the management and protection of California's natural resources; a goal that is accomplished through ongoing assessment and study of the State's natural resources and an extensive CDF Resource Management Program.

As part of CDF, the Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) supports the CDF mission to protect life and property through fire prevention engineering programs, law and code enforcement and education. The OSFM provides for fire prevention by enforcing fire-related laws in state-owned or operated buildings, investigating arson fires in California, licensing those who inspect and service fire protection systems, approving fireworks as safe and sane for use in California, regulating the use of chemical flame retardants, evaluating building materials against fire safety standards, regulating hazardous liquid pipelines, and tracking incident statistics for local and state government emergency response agencies.

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For more information about these closely allied agencies, please visit:

http://www.fire.ca.gov

and / or

http://osfm.fire.ca.gov

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Respectfully Yours in Safety and Service,

Brian Humphrey

Firefighter/Paramedic
Public Service Officer
Los Angeles Fire Department
E-Mail: beh9593@lafd.lacity.org

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Los Angeles Fire Department Home Page:
http://www.lafd.org

Subscribe to the LAFD Public Information E-Newsletter:
http://www.lafd.org/info.htm

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