Fire safety is important, especially in California where wildfires happen often. One local leader in Fremont is helping to make fire safety a priority in the state.
The State Board of Fire Services appointed Fremont Fire Chief Zoraida Diaz to their 18-member advisory board on Oct. 31, 2024.
She became part of the state board after being nominated by the California Fire Chiefs Association. The process to become a member of the state board includes an application, an interview process by the California State Governor’s Office, and an appointment after being selected. Her first meeting was on Nov. 5, 2024 where she was sworn-in.
The purpose of the State Board of Fire Services is to address anything related to fire protection and prevention. The biggest issue is wildland fires, which Diaz said are a year long event.
“Fire season used to be a small period of time but there’s been occasions in which there’s been large wildland fires like in November and December,” Diaz said during a Zoom interview. “Now we consider it a year round concern.”
The state fire board is responsible for developing technical and performance standards for firefighters across the state. Diaz said the fire board accredits curriculum for when an organization wants to create a local fire academy and establishes policy for the California Fire Service certification system.
Chief Diaz began her career in firefighting at the age of 36. She was recruited by the Oakland Fire Department, which had a local Black Firefighters Association chapter. The purpose of the organization is to diversify the fire service.
After she was recruited she took classes and learned everything about being a firefighter. She then took an exam to work at Oakland Fire Department, the only department she applied for.
“I felt like that’s the place where I really wanted to work. And I felt welcomed because I was being recruited and kind of mentored to be successful in the process,” Diaz said.
Diaz was hired and has worked in Oakland for 17 years. She worked every position until she became an Assistant Chief.
Diaz said the former Fremont Fire Chief saw her potential in becoming a lead firefighter when he was part of a series of panels with her. “[He] saw that I had the skillset,” Diaz said.
The Fire Chief made a recommendation for her to apply for an open position as Deputy Chief of Operations in Fremont, and she was hired. She then was appointed by the city of Fremont as Fire Chief after the previous chief retired. She has been the fire chief of Fremont for over a year and is the city’s first female chief.
Diaz became a firefighter after a 15-year career as a social worker in New York City. She was born and raised in Harlem, New York and moved to California around the year 2000. She has been combating fires for 21 years.
Diaz said the career switch was vital in her life because she was able to take care of her parents before they passed away.
“This career has given me the knowledge to be able to, as a paramedic, take care of my older parents especially when they were transitioning,” Diaz said. “And that is a gift that I will forever appreciate, having the opportunity to serve in the fire service.”
Diaz said her parents played an important role in supporting her career in firefighting. While she was training in the fire academy her father stayed with her for six months to help with preparing her meals, doing the laundry and cleaning the house. Her mom attended all her job title promotion ceremonies.
“What the fire service has done for me on a personal level is that it has given me the opportunity to live and own a home, to take care of my parents,” Diaz said.
Right now she is focused on mentoring other firefighters. “Giving other people in the fire service who seek mentorship from me, the opportunity to develop themselves professionally, is what I really enjoy at this point of my career.”
The fire department is hosting a free event on Dec. 14 called “Hot Cocoa & Cookies with Santa” from 10am – 1pm. Besides the hot cocoa and cookies, the event will also include crafts, safety tips and a photo op with Santa in front of the department’s antique fire engine.
