Former Emergency Manager Of San Ramon New Director of Emergency Services In San Jose

City officials in San Jose announced Friday the appointment of Ray Riordan as San Jose's new director of emergency services. Appointed by San Jose fire Chief Curtis Jacobson after a national recruitment process, Riordan will enter the new position with an extensive background in emergency management in both the public and private sectors. In his career, he has managed emergencies such as earthquakes, wildfires, public health emergencies, blackouts, potential terrorism incidents, and floods, according to city officials.

"Our recent experience with the flooding by Coyote Creek is an urgent reminder that we have much to do so that our city organization and the people of our community can be better prepared to handle the immediate
long-term effects of a major emergency," Chief Jacobson said in a statement.

Riordan previously spent eight years as the emergency manager for the city of San Ramon. He was also an emergency preparedness manager for the East Bay Municipal Utility District for more than a decade, and a senior planning emergency coordinator for the Contra Costa County Office of Emergency Services for seven years. His work has been recognized nationally by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

"This is a wonderful opportunity to work with one of the nation's biggest and most innovative cities," said Riordan in a statement. "It's our responsibility to help our residents, businesses, and partners to work together effectively to make San Jose a safer and more resilient community," Riordan said.

Riordan is a FEMA-certified trainer for emergency preparedness and response. He has a bachelor's degree in psychology from Santa Clara University and a master's degree in psychology and industrial organization
from San Jose State University, according to city officials. Riordan will officially begin his new position in San Jose on March 13.

By Bay City News

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