Chief Pat Dennen Named Cal EMA Deputy Fire Chief of Operations

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Pat Dennen, the former Fire Chief/Fire Warden of the San Bernardino County Fire Department has been appointed the Deputy Fire Chief of Operations for the California Emergency Management Agency (Cal EMA), according to Kim Zagaris, Chief of the Cal EMA Fire and Rescue Division.

"Chief Dennen will lead day to day training and response activities for Cal EMA Fire and Rescue, he will also coordinate the California fire and rescue services response to all-risk incidents," Chief Zagaris said in a news release. Those incidents include; emergency structure fires, high-rise fires, wildland fires, major traffic accidents, multi-casualty incidents, hazardous materials, train wrecks, swift water rescue, floods, earthquakes, terrorism and weapons of mass destruction.

Cal EMA Fire and Rescue manages the day to day operations of the State's Fire and Rescue Mutual Aid System. At their disposal are a fleet of 129 Cal EMA engines, 12 Cal EMA water tenders, 13 Cal EMA swiftwater units, six Cal EMA communications/support units and more than 1,000 local government fire engines that can be deployed statewide during major fires and disasters.

"It's an honor to be given the opportunity to oversee the California mutual aid system, which is the best in the nation," Chief Dennen states.

Chief Dennen brings a strong background to the California Fire and Rescue Mutual Aid System. He is a Red-Card Certified Type II Incident Commander and Operations Section Chief and has served on a Type 1 Incident Management Team.  He was the Operational Area Fire & Rescue Coordinator in San Bernardino County overseeing the mutual aid system, and served as Region VI Mutual Aid Coordinator responsible for overseeing mutual aid with local government fire apparatus and personnel in six Southern California counties.

Chief Dennen also served on the Governors Blue Ribbon Task Force following the 2007 Southern California fire siege.  Chief Dennen is currently President-Elect for the California Fire Chiefs' Association, a member of the Metropolitan Fire Chief's Association and served on the Board of Directors for FIRESCOPE.

Chief Dennen received a Masters Degree in Executive Fire Service Leadership from Grand Canyon University in Phoenix.



Author:Barbara Brooks - Fire Department Network News