City Government
Fremont: City Appoints First Female Fire Chief
Fremont has appointed a new fire chief who will be the department’s first woman in that role, City Manager Karena Shackelford announced this week. Former Deputy Fire Chief of Operations Zoraida Diaz will be the next fire chief in the Bay Area’s fourth largest city beginning April 7. Women make up only 5.8% of fire chiefs in the U.S., according to Zippia.com, a site that gathers career data.
By Bay City News
Fremont has appointed a new fire chief who will be the department’s first woman in that role, City Manager Karena Shackelford announced this week.
Former Deputy Fire Chief of Operations Zoraida Diaz will be the next fire chief in the Bay Area’s fourth largest city beginning April 7.
Women make up only 5.8% of fire chiefs in the U.S., according to Zippia.com, a site that gathers career data.
Her previous work with the department has included partnering with police and other first responders in Fremont to enhance service to the community, Shackelford said in a statement. She has also created incident action plans for civil unrest, public safety power shutoff events, COVID-19 protocols, and organizing response around the area’s recent weather events.
Before coming to Fremont, Diaz worked in the Oakland Fire Department, rising to the rank of assistant fire chief.
Diaz is fluent in Spanish and worked for 15 years as a social worker before becoming a firefighter.
“I am honored to be named Fremont’s next Fire Chief and my mission will be to cultivate a professional environment where civic and employee pride promotes excellence and a workforce that values transparency, equity, inclusiveness and belonging,” said Diaz.
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