LOS ANGELES - Fire Chief RALPH M. TERRAZAS will retire from the LOS ANGELES (City) FIRE DEPARTMENT effective March 26, 2022, with 38 years of service.

He was hired on December 18, 1983, and has served unselfishly and professionally in the following ranks:

Firefighter - December 18, 1983

Fire Inspector I - June 30, 1989

Fire Captain I - June 14, 1992

Fire Captain II - August 31, 1997

Battalion Chief - July 2, 2000

Assistant Chief - July 24, 2005

Fire Chief - August 8, 2014

 

Chief Terrazas achieved success in the most challenging of assignments and faithfully served the City of Los Angeles at the following locations:

Fire Stations: 33, 65, 64, 57, 25, 94, 26, 37, 61, and 2

Fire Prevention Bureau: Hazardous Materials Unit

Recruit Training: Drill Tower 40

Planning Section

Community Liaison Officer

Professional Standards Division

Administration Bureau (Fire Chief’s Office)

 

During his service he dealt with countless emergencies, disasters, and noteworthy events:

Fire Stat Section

LAUSD Firefighter High School Magnet Program

Everyone Goes Home Program

Advanced Provider Response Unit Program

Fast Response Vehicle Program

Sober Unit Program

Therapeutic Mental Health Van Pilot Program

Telemedicine Program

Unmanned Aerial System (Drone) Program

COVID-19 Division (which tested over 5 million people and vaccinated over 1.5 million)

Thermal imaging cameras for all on-duty firefighters

Firefighting robot

First electric fire engine in North America

Hired over 1000 new firefighters

 

The Los Angeles City Fire Department is extremely grateful for his devoted, loyal, and invaluable service, and for providing professional expertise and knowledge to benefit the City of Los Angeles. Best wishes for a happy, healthy, and rewarding retirement.