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Chris Emmons

Position: Deputy Chief
Term: Appointed August 15, 2022
Email Address: cemmons@arcatafire.org

As a lifelong resident of the Arcata Fire Protection District, I feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to serve this area. I began my fire service career in October of 1992 as a volunteer firefighter trainee with the Arcata Fire Protection District, becoming a full member of the organization in March of 1993. I served with the department until October 1996 when I was hired as a full-time firefighter with the City of Eureka Fire Department. I remained with the Eureka Fire Department until 2007 when I was hired by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection as a Fire Captain. I remained in the area, working in the Humboldt-Del Norte Unit.

I returned to the City of Eureka Fire Department and remained there through the consolidation of the City of Eureka Fire Department and Humboldt Fire District #1, with the agency becoming Humboldt Bay Fire Joint Powers Authority. I held each rank within the agency, up to Battalion Chief. During my time with the Eureka-Humboldt Bay Fire agencies I obtained my Bachelor of Science degree in Occupational Studies from California State University Long Beach. I also obtained my Designated Subjects Vocational Education California State Teaching Credential. I am a certified California State Fire Officer, qualified as a Fire Investigator, Fire Instructor, and have received my Executive Fire Officer certification from the National Fire Academy following completion of the four-year program through the United States Fire Administration. In 2019, I completed the National Emergency Management Advanced Academy through the Emergency Management Institute. During my career I have been fortunate to serve on California Incident Management Teams as well as in local Emergency Operations Centers for large scale incidents. I gained a wealth of knowledge and experience that I hope to share with the Arcata Fire Protection District and communities we serve. I am excited about this opportunity and the future of the organization.

In August of 2022, I was given a wonderful opportunity to return to where I started. I currently serve as the Assistant Chief of Operations and Training. The staff at the Arcata Fire Protection District has helped me “hit the ground running.” I am constantly amazed by the devoted personnel at the department and in the communities of our district I now serve.

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