CAL FIRE: Chief Walters monthly Chief's Message announces his retirement

Monday, October 11, 2010

CAL FIRE: Chief Walters monthly Chief's Message announces his retirement

Chief Walters' Monthly Message

October is a month of awareness, observance and remembrance. As we see and feel the change of seasons, it is a time for reflection. In doing so, I have recently reached a decision that I want to share. I will be retiring from CAL FIRE at the end of the year.

My wife, Janet, has been battling Multiple Sclerosis and a number of other disorders for over 25 years. During September, she experienced a profound decline in her health. I have often advised those who work for me to know their priorities in life and act accordingly. It is time to follow my own advice.

I made it known to those who asked that it was my desire to continue working into the next administration. Like the leaves of autumn, things change.

I debated when to make the announcement. No one wants to be thought of as a lame duck, but I do believe I owe it to those who will take this department into the future to know my plans. I hope it will come as no surprise to anyone who knows me that I intend to remain fully engaged until my last day, so this is not a goodbye message. It is more fair warning to the people of CAL FIRE to buckle down and prepare for a very busy three months.

Del Walters, Chief
Director

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How fires get their names

Every year in California thousands of wildfires start throughout the state. In most cases, the dispatch center sending the initial resources to a wildland fire will designate a name for the fire, but the first on scene engine or fire official can also name the incident. Fires are usually named for the area in which they start – a geographical location, local landmark, street, lake, mountain, peak, etc. Quickly naming the fire provides responding fire resources with an additional locater, and allows fire officials to track and prioritize incidents by name. For example during the Southern California Fire Siege of 2003, the largest wildland fire in California history, the Cedar Fire in San Diego County, was named after the Cedar Creek Falls area where it started. The destructive Old Fire, which burned during the same time period in San Bernardino County, was named after the road along which it started - Old Waterman Canyon Road.

CAL FIRE is the largest fire department in California and the second largest fire department in the United States. CDF - CAL FIRE Firefighters answer the call more than 300,000 times a year. CAL FIRE Firefighters make up the fire department for 30 of our 58 counties in California and more than 100 local communities. We serve as the incident command during many of California’s most serious disasters. CAL FIRE Firefighters respond to many various types and forms of calls ranging from structural fires, to auto accidents, to earthquakes, to floods, to the spilling of hazardous materials, to every conceivable disaster; CAL FIRE answer's the calls. CAL FIRE is the largest fire department in California and the second largest fire department in the United States . CAL FIRE firefighters protect 33 million acres of State Responsibility Area (SRA). We have over 4,000 members within CAL FIRE and CAL FIRE is associated with the California Professional Firefighters (CPF) and the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF).

CFN - CALIFORNIA FIRE NEWS - CAL FIRE NEWS

Monday, October 11, 2010