Alameda Fire Chief Doug Long To Retire

ALAMEDA, CA — Alameda Fire Chief Doug Long will retire on Friday after 29 years with the department, fire officials announced today. Long, who was born and raised in Alameda, was hired in June 1988 and progressed through the ranks until he was named acting chief in December 2014, when former chief Mike D'Orazi retired, and permanent chief in April 2015.

"Chief Long provided solid leadership for our department throughout his career, and especially as fire chief," Capt. Jeff DelBono, the president of Local 689 of the International Association of Firefighters, said
in a statement.

DelBono said, "His knowledge of our community was equally as strong and was key in keeping our department in line with the needs of Alameda. I greatly appreciate how well he has led our department."

Long graduated from Alameda High School in 1981 and worked at several local businesses before he joined the fire department in 1988. Long was promoted to lieutenant in 1997 and then to captain in 1999.

In 2011, he was promoted to division chief, which involved being a shift platoon commander and being the chief in charge of special operations, including hazardous materials, technical rescue and marine operations.
Early in 2014 Long was named deputy fire chief, where he had oversight of operational divisions, including fire prevention.

Division Chief Ricci Zombeck will serve as interim fire chief while city officials search for a new permanent chief.

By Bay City News

Photo via Shutterstock