CalChiefs Congratulates Chief Brian Fennessy

CalChiefs Congratulates Chief Brian Fennessy on Appointment as Inaugural Director of the United States Wildland Fire Service

Sacramento, California — The California Fire Chiefs Association (CalChiefs) proudly announces and extends its congratulations to Chief Brian Fennessy of the Orange County Fire Authority on his appointment as the first Director of the newly established United States Wildland Fire Service (USWFS). His appointment becomes effective January 12, 2026.

Chief Fennessy is recognized nationally for his exceptional leadership, innovative approach to fire service operations, and steadfast commitment to firefighter and community safety. His distinguished career includes service as Fire Chief of San Diego Fire-Rescue Department and later the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA), where he continues to serve. He has been honored as the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) Fire Chief of the Year (2023) and the California Fire Chief of the Year (2022), and recently served as President of CalChiefs (2024–2025).

In addition to his executive leadership roles, Chief Fennessy serves as Chair of FIRESCOPE, the multi-agency body responsible for the development and stewardship of California’s Mutual Aid System and the Incident Command System (ICS). Under his tenure, FIRESCOPE has advanced modernization efforts, strengthened operational coordination, and expanded the use of intelligence-driven decision-making.

Chief Fennessy also played a pivotal role in the development and statewide expansion of the Fire Integrated Real-Time Intelligence System (FIRIS), which provides real-time aerial intelligence, fire perimeter mapping, and predictive modeling to support incident commanders. Originally launched in Orange County, FIRIS has evolved into a Cal OES–supported statewide program, enhancing situational awareness during California’s most challenging fire seasons.

This appointment marks a return to Chief Fennessy’s federal roots. His fire service career began in 1978 as a Hotshot with the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management, giving him invaluable on-the-ground wildland experience that has shaped his leadership philosophy for more than four decades.

About the United States Wildland Fire Service
The creation of the United States Wildland Fire Service represents a historic reorganization of federal wildland fire management. For the first time, wildland firefighting personnel, aviation resources, training standards, and prevention programs from multiple federal agencies will be unified under a single operational structure. The USWFS is designed to:

• Establish a uniform national operational doctrine
  
• Enhance coordination with state, local, and tribal partners
  
• Streamline aviation strategy and federal resource deployment
  
• Standardize training, safety, and workforce development
  
• Strengthen national preparedness and response capability in the face of increasingly severe wildfire conditions

The USWFS model aligns with the principles of coordination and standardization that have long defined California’s fire service operations.

CalChiefs Statement
“Chief Brian Fennessy has been a transformational leader in California and across the nation,” said CalChiefs President Bernard Molloy. “His experience, integrity, and commitment to innovation make him uniquely suited to lead the United States Wildland Fire Service at this pivotal moment in our nation’s wildfire history. CalChiefs congratulates Chief Fennessy and looks forward to continued partnership with our federal counterparts under his leadership.”

For more information about the California Fire Chiefs Association, please visit www.calchiefs.org.