Alameda County Appoints Interim Fire Chief

The Alameda County Board of Supervisors appointed David Rocha to the position of Interim Fire Chief on Tuesday. 

Rocha will succeed Chief Demetrious Shaffer, who announced his retirement from the Alameda County Fire Department two weeks ago.    

Rocha started his career with the San Leandro Fire Department where he worked for eight years. In 1995, he joined the Alameda County Fire Department to work with the team in an administrative capacity. He has held his position as the Deputy Chief of Administration for the Alameda County Fire Department for the past seven years, according to Guy Ashley, chief communications officer for Alameda County. 

He is credited with being fiscally responsible with the budget during uncertain economic times, Ashley said. Rocha is involved in efforts to consolidate department resources to create operational efficiencies, Ashley added.

Board of Supervisor President Keith Carson, who also sits on the fire department’s board of directors, was pleased with the appointment.

Carson said Rocha will “provide stability and strong leadership to the department during this time of transition.’’

County Administrator Susan S. Muranishi said she looks forward to working with Interim Chief Rocha when he starts his job on January 1, 2014.

“The department, contract cities and the county will benefit from his many years of experience and his commitment to providing efficient and effective regional fire services,” Muranishi said. 

The Alameda County Fire Department responds to emergencies in Newark, Union City, San Leandro, Dublin, Emeryville, the Lawrence Berkeley and Livermore laboratories, as well as the unincorporated areas of the county.