CAL FIRE: Chief Ken Pimlott's First Monthly Message

Chief Ken Pimlott

As we transition into a new Governor’s administration and experience our own internal leadership changes, I want to provide you with my initial thoughts on where we should direct our attention in the coming months. It is important for all of us to remember that our mission and focus have not changed and we must continue to serve the public in the same quality manner we always do.

Our short term goals will revolve around assisting the incoming Governor’s administration as it transitions into office. This will involve a great deal of information sharing and briefings on current CAL FIRE operations and activities. We are all very proud of our Department and I know it will be easy for you to share all that CAL FIRE has to offer. Additionally, I will be offering the opportunity to Governor Brown and his staff to visit our facilities and see our operations first hand.

In the long term, our focus will include the goals and vision outlined by Chief Walters in his final message to all of us this week.

As Chief Walters noted, change is inevitable and we all must be prepared to adapt. Although change tends to make people uncomfortable, our ability to adapt and excel in these dynamic environments is the very thing that makes CAL FIRE strong. As we look forward to changes in key leadership positions, both within CAL FIRE and the State as a whole, I know that we will continue working together as a team and take care of each other as part of the CAL FIRE family.

I am proud of all of you for making CAL FIRE the highly professional and respected organization that it is. We face many challenges in the months ahead but working through them will only make us stronger. I am excited to help guide us through these challenging times and I sincerely appreciate all of your support.

Ken Pimlott, Chief
Acting Director