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Gerald
Simon

Fire Services Professional

Oakland, California

California fire services professional Gerald Simon possesses a number of field-specific degrees and certifications. As a student of the Fire Science (now Fire Protection Technology) program at Mission College in Santa Clara, Mr. Simon learned the basic skills required in firefighting, fire prevention, and emergency services. This education launched him on a successful career trajectory in fire services. Expanding on his credentials, Gerald Simon completed courses on Command and Control of Fire Department Operations at Natural and Man-Made Disasters, as well as Executive Development from the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland. Gerald Simon learned valuable managerial skills through this training, ones he used as he earned several promotions within the Santa Clara Fire Department. Ultimately settling into the role of Fire Chief, he oversaw the operation of 10 fire stations and almost 250 firefighters.

Gerald Simon completed several other training programs during this time; these include the Executive Development program at the Carl Holmes Executive Development Institute hosted by Dillard University, and the Graduate Program for Senior Executives in State and Local Government from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. Additionally, Mr. Simon took courses in the Master of Public Administration program at San José State University, after which he became Fire Chief for Oakland, California. In this capacity, he managed 25 fire stations with a combined staff of 600. Because of his comprehensive training and experience, Gerald Simon additionally undertook an appointment to Director of Homeland Security for the area. Recognized for his leadership and public administration skills, he simultaneously served as Acting City Manager for Oakland.

Starting from humble beginnings in the San Francisco Bay Area and attending Santa Clara University, where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, Gerald Simon went on to enjoy a long and varied fire services career. After filling the position of Interim Fire Chief for Union City, California, and Fort Lauderdale, Florida, for one year each, Gerald Simon now works as a private Fire Services Consultant.


Gerald Simon's Publications

  • Gerald Simon: Preventing Wildland Fires, Gerlad Simon
    November, 2011
    As Fire Chief in Oakland, California, from 1999 to 2004, Gerald Simon maintained responsibility for the safety of more than 400,000 citizens in the area. Oakland presented unique challenges for its 500-plus firefighters because of the city’s expansive wildlands, which have played a role in several of the area’s large fires. For example, in 1991 a firestorm spread through the Oakland Hills, where houses were located close to or in the middle of wildlands. Starting as a grass fire, it rapidly spread over five acres. The next day, it reignited as a brush fire, driven by winds up to 65 miles per hour. Ultimately, the fire destroyed more than 1,500 acres and killed 25 people.

    The 1991 Oakland firestorm, as well as other similar wildland fires, demonstrates the need for prevention. The lessons learned during such events allow firefighters to provide information that individuals who reside in or urban wildlands to assist them in preventing and containing fires. According to the United States Forest Service, 90 percent of fires occurring in wildlands or wildland urban interfaces are caused by human activity. People living in the wildland urban interface need to take precautions to protect their homes and the lands upon which they border.

    1. Burn debris responsibly. Check area fire safety information before burning debris, and if the threat level is moderate or severe, wait until conditions are better before burning. Never leave a burn pile unattended, and keep fires contained at all times. Properly dispose of yard waste using non-burning methods, such as recycling and composting.

    2. Do not dump ashes in the woods. Instead, allow them to fully cool and then dispose of them in non-wooded gardens.

    3. Never refuel outdoor equipment, like lawn mowers or weed trimmers, until the engines have completely cooled.

    4. Notify the power company of deadwood or tree limbs close to or touching power lines as soon as you notice them.

    5. Keep grass cut and brush under control.

    6. Keep grass, weeds, and brush clear of electric fences.

    7. Do not park your vehicle with its exhaust system up against brush, grass, or weeds.