Presidential Summary – Chief Brian Fennessy

As I reflect on this past year serving as your President, I am once again struck by the profound strength, resilience, and innovation of the California fire service. It has been an honor to represent our members and to work alongside so many dedicated leaders, each committed to advancing our mission.

We modernized our Annual Strategic Plan, implementing an improved tracking mechanism to ensure accountability and measurable progress, empowering CalChiefs to be more nimble, effective, and transparent. We advanced the work of our Fire Marshal Section, refining section relationships and ensuring fire prevention and community risk reduction remain central to our statewide efforts. In parallel, the California Fire Service Leadership Alliance, which brings together CFCA, Fire Districts, Tribal Chiefs, Volunteer/Combination Chiefs, Metro Chiefs, Contract Counties, and the League of Cities, grew stronger. 

Together, we also engaged on complex issues, including Enhanced 911 coordination with Cal OES and escalating apparatus manufacturer costs, with special thanks to Chiefs Chris Nigg and Adam Loeser for their leadership. Our commitment to the health and safety of our members also continued to evolve, not just with our deep engagement in the California Fire Service Cancer Program, but also our support of the Tumor Mutational Landscape Study, ensuring research, prevention, and wellness remain at the forefront.

With special thanks to Chiefs Hartwig, Peterson, Molloy, and Hamilton, we also advanced critical policy efforts, collaborating with CPF on Chapter 1 and EMS issues that ultimately led to the sponsorship of a fire service training bill to expand opportunities for underrepresented entry-level candidates. This was on top of our continued federal advocacy through Western Fire Chiefs and the National Metro Chiefs, where the Orange County Fire Authority's reputation and footprint provided invaluable influence. Not to be outdone, the CalChiefs Foundation, under the stewardship of Chief Dave Winnacker, delivered stellar results in grant management, including significant work on Zone Zero and partnerships with Milliman and the Moore Foundation to advance the Wildland Urban Interface Data Commons. 

Our CalChiefs Consulting and Training enterprise also continued to thrive, guiding the California Building Industry Association on mitigation strategies, expanding services that include CFA podcasts and collaboration with key partners — from 3AM and Work Emergent to Cardo Consulting and Emergency Service Advisors. On the operational front, CalChiefs advanced critical discussions within FIRESCOPE, including bringing forward the integration of private ambulances into the ICS structure and strengthening the role of emergency managers in ICS and the ordering system. 

Finally, our conferences and training events shined as a cornerstone of development and connection for the California fire service — from the Chief Officer Leadership Symposium at the Fresno Training Officers Conference and the CFED Conference in Indian Wells, to the Annual Conference in Anaheim and more. 

None of these accomplishments would have been possible without the support of our Board of Directors, our Sections, our legislative partners, and the administrative backbone provided by SMA. I am deeply grateful for their tireless efforts and unwavering dedication. I leave this office proud of what we have accomplished and optimistic about the path ahead. Thank you for the trust you placed in me, and for the extraordinary work you do in service to your communities and the fire service family.

Sincerely, 

Chief Brian Fennessy
President, California Fire Chiefs Association