Mr. Rick Martinez completed a 31-year career in public service in 2005, rising through the ranks and serving in nearly every operational and administrative position to include 10 years as Fire Chief.During his tenure as Fire Chief, he guided the consolidation of multiple fire departments, forming the 5th largest local fire department in the State of California.
Martinez was instrumental in the establishment and management of the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Urban Search and Rescue Task Force and served as the Urban Search and Rescue Task Force Leader in response to the Murrah Federal Building bombing in Oklahoma City in April 1995.
Martinez served as the Search and Rescue Incident Support Team Leader in which he was responsible for the management and direction of all FEMA Urban Search and Rescue Teams in several national disasters including Hurricane Katrina in Mississippi, Hurricane Rita, the World Trade Center Incident in New York on September 11, 2001 and the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics.
In July 2003, Martinez was named as the first Chief Deputy Director, an appointee of Governor Gray Davis, to the California Office of Homeland Security (OHS).In November 2003, he was appointed to the Governor’s Blue Ribbon Fire Commission by Governor-elect Arnold Schwarzenegger to provide a thorough review of the Southern California wildfires of 2003. He also served as the interim Director of OHS for Governor Schwarzenegger.
In October 2003, Martinez was selected as the Fire Chief of the Year by the California Fire Chiefs Association.He currently serves as the Emergency Operations Manager for the City and County of Sacramento responsible for planning, response and recovery for the metropolitan Sacramento area.In this position, he manages the Regional Emergency Operations Center.Martinez researched, developed, and implemented an advanced life support and ambulance transportation program and fire paramedic intern program for the City of Sacramento.
Martinez received his Associate of Arts Degree in Fire Technology and completed his Bachelor’s Degree in Vocational and Adult Education.He is also graduate of the Executive Fire Officer Program at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland.