FREMONT, Calif. — Fremont Deputy Fire Chief Zoraida Diaz has been chosen to be the next fire chief of the Fremont Fire Department by City Manager Karena Shackelford, making her the highest-ranking woman in the department’s history. Diaz, who has been serving as the department’s deputy chief of operations, will assume the position on April 7.
“Zoraida will be an integral part of our City’s executive management team and is committed to building upon a legacy of excellence and leadership and is aligned with the City’s highest priorities,” Shackelford said in a press release.
Diaz, who has more than two decades of experience in the fire service and 15 years in social services, earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling from the State University of New York at Albany. Before joining the city of Fremont, she spent 18 years with the city of Oakland, rising through the ranks until she became assistant fire chief.
“I am honored to be named Fremont’s next Fire Chief and my mission will be to cultivate a professional environment where civic, and employee pride promotes excellence in a workforce that values transparency, equity, inclusiveness and belonging,” Diaz said in the press release.
Diaz plans to lead the Fremont Fire Department by identifying and implementing innovative procedures to best serve the community.
The department’s badge-pinning ceremony will be scheduled at a later date.
