Salinas Fire Chief accepts job in Alameda

The Salinas Fire Chief is leaving his post for a new job in the East Bay.

According to Chief Edmond Rodriguez, he will be the new fire chief of the city of Alameda. In October, he notified city and staff about his resignation. He just celebrated his five-year anniversary with Salinas Fire.

“It’s a great department, I love this community. It was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up. Emotional day. You do something for five years, you put your heart and soul into it. My only hope is some of my efforts makes the community a little bit safer,” said Chief Rodriguez.

According to City Manager Ray Corpuz, Ed Rodriguez’s last day will be November 9. Starting November 10, Deputy Chief Brett Loomis will fill in as acting fire chief for a few months while they start the transition.

Chief Rodriguez is tentatively expected to start with Alameda Fire on November 13. The city of Alameda has 75,000 residents. It’s a smaller and older community but the department is bigger in terms of size.

“Chief Rodriguez brings exemplary skills to the Alameda community, and he has a strong track record of leadership and innovation,” noted City Manager Jill Keimach. “The City conducted a thorough and rigorous recruitment and selection process, and Chief Rodriguez was the clear choice for this vitally important public safety position.”

As chief he will oversee more than 104 sworn personnel and have a budget of $33.6 million and his annual salary will be $235,619. Rodriguez said he still plans to live in Monterey County.

Corpuz is going to open up a nationwide hiring search for a new fire chief at the start of the year.