Director
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
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Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger appointed Ruben Grijalva as the director of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) on April 24, 2006. Chief Grijalva had filled that position as acting director since January 2006.  Prior to this appointment, Governor Schwarzenegger had named Grijalva as the 13th State Fire Marshal of California on August 16, 2004. Chief Grijalva continues to manage State Fire Marshal duties at this time.  Previously, Chief Grijalva was the fire chief for the city of Palo Alto, California for 10 years. He has 32 years experience working in the field of public safety. He had worked for Palo Alto since 1990, becoming the fire chief in 1994. Prior to that Chief Grijalva worked for the city of Sunnyvale, California, Department of Public Safety, for 16 years working in both police and fire capacities. Chief Grijalva has expertise in criminal justice administration and the development of fire prevention and hazardous materials regulations. While in Palo Alto, he focused on introducing new technologies to the fire service, improving emergency medical services, and disaster preparedness. 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 in Sunnyvale, CA at a company named ESL where he successfully negotiated the surrender of the largest mass murderer in Santa Clara County history.

Chief Grijalva currently chairs the State Board of Fire Services, is an ex-officio member of the California Film Commission, serves on Governor Schwarzenegger’s Hydrogen Highway Network Senior Review Committee, is on the Board of Directors of FIRESCOPE., and is a member of the National Association of State Foresters as the California State Forester.

Professional Experience

January 2006 – Present
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) (Director)

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) 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. In addition, the department provides varied emergency services in 36 of the state's 58 counties via contracts with local governments. The department's firefighters, fire engines, and aircraft respond to an average of more than 5,600 wildland fires each year. Those fires burn more than 172,000 acres annually.  In addition, department personnel respond to more than 300,000 other emergencies yearly. CAL FIRE’s emergency response capability includes a force of nearly 4,000 full-time fire professionals, foresters, and administrative employees; 1,400 seasonal firefighters; 5,600 local government volunteer firefighters; 2,600 Volunteers in Prevention; and 4,300 inmates and wards that currently provide 196 fire crews. The department has a budget of more than $800 million.

2004 – Present
California Office of the State Fire Marshal: (State Fire Marshal)

As part of CAL FIRE, the Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) supports the CAL FIRE 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.

1994 - 2004
Palo Alto Fire Department: (Fire Chief)

The fire chief has overall responsibility for the department. Under direction of the city manager; the fire chief plans, organizes, and directs the activities of the fire department, and provides the leadership and direction for staff and line personnel; works closely with other department heads in coordinating citywide services to the community.

1990- 1994
Palo Alto Fire Department: (Assistant Fire Chief)

The assistant fire chief has overall responsibility for operations division. Responsibilities include management of the fire suppression program, training program, paramedic program, Stanford Linear Accelerator Center (SLAC) program, and hazardous materials response program. Administrative responsibilities including, staff reports to council, information management systems, and development, implementation, and reporting on a  $19.5 million annual operating budget, not including capital improvement projects. Responsibility for personnel matters for 132 personnel, including; labor negotiations, discipline, grievance resolution, hiring, promotions, affirmative action policy and recognition.

1985 - 1990
Sunnyvale Dept. of Public Safety: (Fire Marshal)

The fire marshal has overall responsibility for management of the fire prevention bureau. Responsibilities included management of the hazardous materials inspection and enforcement program, fire prevention new construction program, fire prevention maintenance program, fire cause/arson investigations, information management relating to fire prevention activities, ordinance development, reports and presentations to city council, and various special projects.

1983 - 1985
Sunnyvale Dept. of Public Safety: (Public Safety Lieutenant / Fire)

Various assignments of increasing responsibility including fire station supervisor fire academy instructor, truck station supervisor, and recruit training supervisor. The Department of Public Safety is a fully consolidated police and fire department.

1979 - 1983
Sunnyvale Dept. of Public Safety: (Public Safety Officer / Fire)

Performed the duties of firefighter, engineer, and truck operator during a five-year assignment to the fire division. certified Emergency Medical Technician-1A. certified advanced first aid instructor. Developed first aid training program for fire academy and police in-service training program. Instructed in fire academy on the subjects of water supply, fire hydraulics, and apparatus operation.

1976 - 1979
Sunnyvale Dept. of Public Safety: (Public Safety Officer / Police)

Performed the duties of patrol officer, crime scene investigator,  hostage negotiator, and field training officer during a four year assignment to the police division. Typical duties included; investigation of traffic accidents, domestic disputes, response to and investigation of crimes in progress such as; burglary, robbery, rape, arson, homicides, etc. A crime scene investigator has overall responsibility for field evidence collection at major crime scenes. A hostage negotiator works on a team to negotiate with barricaded suspects and hostage takers to bring about a peaceful resolution to critical incidents.

Professional Activities and Accomplishments

Education