Public Safety Division
Summary of Qualifications
Chief Rocha has over 36 years in the fire service, emergency medical services, and emergency management. Retiring in 2020 as the Fire Chief of the Alameda County Fire Department (ACFD) a metropolitan size fire district in the San Francisco East Bay then working as a Program Manager for the Bay Area Urban Areas Security Initiative.
He has been responsible for strategic leadership in all areas of safety, emergency programming, risk management, and strengthen the overall capacity of organizations to be prepared and respond to emergencies in accordance with accepted principles and practices. As both a Fire Chief and Program Manager, Chief Rocha worked collaboratively with elected officials and emergency coordinators at the local, State and Federal level to actively contribute to preparedness, mitigation, and recovery plans in a safe, constructive, and compliant manner.
Chief Rocha was an integral part of ACFD efforts geared at achieving regional efficiencies in the delivery of fire and emergency medical services dating back to the origin of the department. He has always provided the highest level of service to each and every community while embodying the core values and collaborative culture of the ACFD and its contract agencies.
Chief Rocha has served as both the Chair and Vice-Chair of CA Metropolitan Fire Chiefs, a member of the California Fire Chiefs Association Executive Board, the Cal OES Region II Coordinator for Fire & Rescue, CA Fire Service Task Force on Climate Impacts, a member of FIRESCOPE Board and Operations Team, and the President of the Alameda County Fire Chiefs Association. In 2019, Chief Rocha was selected as the California Fire Chief of the Year.
Educational Background
- Bachelor of Public Administration—University of San Francisco, December 2004
- Associate of Arts in Fire Service Technology—Chabot Community College, June 1991
- Certificate in Fire Service Technology—Chabot Community College, December 1986
Professional Experience
- City & County of San Francisco, Department of Emergency Management, Regional Program Manager, January 2021–June 2023
- Alameda County Fire Department, July 1995–August 2020
- Fire Chief, 2014-2020; Deputy Chief, 2006–2014; Assistant/Battalion Chief, 2001–2006, & Fire Captain, 1995–2001
Professional Contributions
- State Board of Fire Services, 2019–present Appointed by Governor Newsom
- California Office of Emergency Services
- Region II Fire & Rescue Coordinator, 2014–2020
- FIRESCOPE, 2007–2017
- All Hazard Incident Management Team Development Committee, 2011–2014
- Fire Service Task Force on Climate Impacts, 2015–2020
- Metropolitan Fire Chief Association, 2014–2020
- Chairperson, 2019–2020