Mountain View Names New Fire Chief

Mountain View City Manager Dan Rich announced the appointment of Deputy Chief Juan F. Diaz as Mountain View’s new Fire Chief. Rich’s selection follows a national search. He’ll replace Brad Wardle, who retired.

Diaz started his fire services career with the Santa Clara Fire Department as a Volunteer-Reserve in 1985 and, in 1989, joined the San Jose Fire Department. Diaz worked his way through the ranks to become Deputy Fire Chief for San Jose in 2012. In 2014, he joined the Mountain View Fire Department as Deputy Chief.

Diaz has an associate’s degree in Fire Science from Mission College and a bachelor’s degree in Fire Science and Emergency Management from Kaplan University.

“It was clear after looking at candidates from across the country that we had the best one right here,” said City Manager Dan Rich. “Juan has a depth and breadth of experience that is unmatched. His passion and dedication to the fire service and the City of Mountain View is undeniable. I am confident he will continue our tradition of excellence and take the department to even higher levels of success in the coming years.”

“I am honored and humbled to have been selected to serve the residents and the business community of Mountain View as their next Fire Chief,” said Diaz. “Mountain View Firefighters are recognized as leaders in the fire service, who have achieved a Class 1 ISO rating level of service. My goals are to continue to work with our amazing firefighters, command staff and our City’s management team to exceed the expectations of those we serve: the Mountain View community.”

Diaz will officially start his new duties on September 13 with an annual salary of $242,000.

--Photo of newly appointed Fire Chief Juan F. Diaz provided by City of Mountain View