Ruben Grijalva has over 34 years of experience in fire and public safety. He was appointed Director of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection in 2006 and previously served as State Fire Marshal since 2004. As Director, he led CAL FIRE's response to historic wildfires in California and implemented measures to improve forest health, fire standards, and reduce wildfire risk.
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection Director Ruben D. Grijalva's Career and Accomplishments
1. Ruben D. Grijalva, Director California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
2. Ruben D. Grijalva, Director Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger appointed Ruben Grijalva as the State Forester and director of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) on April 24, 2006. California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
3. Ruben D. Grijalva, Director Governor Schwarzenegger had previously named Grijalva as the State Fire Marshal of California on August 16, 2004. Chief Grijalva is the only person in California history to serve in both capacities. California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
4. Ruben D. Grijalva, Director California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection As director and State Fire Marshal, Chief Grijalva serves as a policy advisor to Governor Schwarzenegger and led California’s response to historic wildfires.
5. Ruben D. Grijalva, Director California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection Chief Grijalva led the adoption of new building and fire standards, implemented measures to improve forest health and reduce the risk of wildfire.
6. Ruben D. Grijalva, Director California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection Chief Grijalva reorganized and rebranded CAL FIRE into a world class, statewide, all-risk, forward leaning, emergency response organization.
7. Chief Grijalva had previously served as the fire chief for the city of Palo Alto, California for 10 years. He has 34 years experience working in the field of public safety. He joined Palo Alto in 1990, becoming the fire chief in 1994. While in Palo Alto, he focused on introducing new technologies to the fire service, improving emergency medical services, and disaster preparedness. Ruben D. Grijalva, Director California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
8. Ruben D. Grijalva, Director Prior to that Chief Grijalva had served the city of Sunnyvale, California, Department of Public Safety, for 16 years working in both police and fire capacities. He has had extensive experience in negotiations of various types, from labor negotiations to legislative and code development to hostage negotiations. He was recognized for his role as the primary hostage negotiator in the 1988 incident at ESL Inc. in Sunnyvale, CA where he successfully negotiated the surrender of the largest mass murderer in Santa Clara County history. California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
9. Ruben D. Grijalva, Director California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection An experienced fire chief
10. Ruben D. Grijalva, Director California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection Demonstrated leader in developing partnerships…
11. Ruben D. Grijalva, Director California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection … in conflagration wildfire management
12. California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection Ruben D. Grijalva, Director … in firefighter safety
13. Ruben D. Grijalva, Director California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection … in developing regional cooperation
14. California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection Ruben D. Grijalva, Director … in developing innovative ideas
15. Ruben D. Grijalva, Director California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection … in large scale disaster response
16. Ruben D. Grijalva, Director California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection … in fire prevention
17. Ruben D. Grijalva, Director California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection … in land use planning
18. Ruben D. Grijalva, Director California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection … in fire safe planning, codes, and regulations
19. Fire Protection Objective: Suppress 95% of all wildfires to 10 acres or less Ruben D. Grijalva, Director California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection … in Mission Driven Budgeting
20. Ruben D. Grijalva, Director California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection … in public speaking
21. Ruben D. Grijalva, Director California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection … in media relations
22. Ruben D. Grijalva, Director California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection Cal Fire protects over 31 million acres of California's privately-owned wildlands, approximately 1/3 of the acres in California. The Department provides varied emergency services in 36 of the State's 58 counties via contracts with local governments.
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24. 21 Units 6 Contract Counties Northern Region Southern Region Sacramento Headquarters 804 fire stations 227 state 577 local government 39 Conservation Camps 198 fire crews Air Attack 13 air attack bases 9 helitack bases Ruben D. Grijalva, Director California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
25. Ruben D. Grijalva, Director California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection Arnold Schwarzenegger, Governor of California Susan Kennedy, Chief of Staff for Gov. Schwarzenegger Dan Dunmoyer, Former Cabinet Secretary for Gov. Schwarzenegger Fred Aguiar, Former Cabinet Secretary for Gov. Schwarzenegger Mike Chrisman, Resources Agency Secretary Frank Benest, Former City Manager, City of Palo Alto Andrew Adelman, Chief Building Official, City of Los Angeles Ronny Coleman, Former California State Fire Marshal Chip Prather, Fire Chief, Orange County Fire Authority Bob Roper, Fire Chief, Ventura County Fire Individual references available…
26. Ruben D. Grijalva, Director California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection Organization references available… California League of Cities California Building Industry Association American Institute of Architects California Building Officials (CALBO) California Fire Chiefs Association National Association of State Foresters National Association of State Fire Marshals California Professional Firefighters CDF Firefighters