Mr. Anthony Galagaza
Fire Chief – Bakersfield, California
As the City of Bakersfield, California Fire Chief, I have over 32 years of service as a firefighter. I began my career as a seasonal firefighter for the Bureau of Land Management and volunteered as a reserve firefighter locally until I was awarded the position of professional firefighter and later moving up the ranks with the City of Bakersfield. Firefighting is in my blood, in that my father is a retired Fire Captain of over 30 years which led me to this calling.
I serve a diverse population of approximately 400,000 with 14 strategically located fire stations and 240 personnel covering over 150 square miles in the Central Valley of California. Bakersfield Fire Department is an all-risk fire department handling emergency medical services, fire, rescue, hazardous materials and all other hazardous situations and calls for service.
I have been the Fire Chief for the City of Bakersfield for just over 3 years. My educational background consists of an associate degree in Fire Technology, bachelor’s degree in Fire Science and currently working on a master’s degree in Business Administration. I am a state certified chief officer and hold numerous advanced training certificates that I’ve obtained throughout my career. Furthermore, I am the Southern Division Director for the California Fire Chiefs Association and the Vice President for the League of California Cities Fire Chiefs Department.