Cristian Carlos. Peninsula 360 Press [P360P].
Redwood City City Manager Melissa Stevenson Diaz announced that Ray Iverson will serve as the Redwood City Fire Department's Brigade Chief, which currently serves both Redwood City and San Carlos, reaching a population of nearly 120,000.
A press release states that the Redwood City Fire Department "provides emergency medical services, fire prevention, disaster planning and community-based training services."
"Ray is a very competent and experienced fire service leader and I am very pleased to have him join our team," said Melissa Stevenson Diaz, Redwood City City Manager. "We welcome her depth of experience in fire prevention as both Redwood City and San Carlos experience strong development interest. His collaborative leadership and strategic thinking will help us reimagine services to meet changing community needs and support financial sustainability," she said.
The statement released by the Redwood City Administration office notes that the selection process conducted in 2020 was intended to be more inclusive and supportive of diversity as a "fundamental guiding principle".
"I look forward, with Ray's leadership, to increasing diversity in the Fire Department to advance the commitment to a city with equity and inclusion," said Melissa Stevenson Diaz.
Iverson holds a bachelor's degree in Fire Management from Columbia Southern University and an Associate's degree in Fire Technology from Solano Community College, as well as numerous professional certifications. He is also enrolled in Columbia Southern University's Master of Public Administration (MPA) program. Additionally, he has been in the fire profession in California since 1991 and has experience in both the public and private sectors of the fire service.
He currently serves as the Fire Chief for the San Mateo Consolidated Fire Department, having risen through the ranks of the City of San Mateo Fire Department, where he also served as Deputy Fire Chief.
He has extensive experience in the fire service with various departments in Northern California, serving as Deputy Chief, Fire Chief with the Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District; Battalion Chief and Fire Chief with the City of Benicia Fire Department; Fire Inspector with the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District and the City of Vacaville Fire Department; and lastly, he served as a firefighter with the City of Union City, the City of Vacaville and the American Canyon Fire Protection District.
Ray Iverson is expected to take office on June 7, 2021.
