John Walbridge Chosen To Lead Central Fire Protection District
John Walbridge, a longtime local who has spent 30 years with Central Fire District, is the new Central fire chief.
Central Fire Chief John Walbridge
He got the job in a unanimous vote by the Board of Directors on Jan. 12.
Central Fire is in the process of consolidating with Aptos/La Selva Fire Protection District.
Walbridge had been interim fire chief since July 2020.
His interest in the fire service started in the late 1970s when he was tasked by his father to ride his bike to Live Oak Fire Station #1 on 17th Avenue to retrieve burn permits from firefighters that he would ultimately work with a decade later.
Walbridge began his professional career in 1990 as a seasonal firefighter with Cal Fire.
In 1991, he joined the Central Fire Protection District as a paid call firefighter. Since then, he held the positions of Firefighter, Firefighter/Paramedic, Captain Paramedic, Battalion Chief, Temporary Division Chief and Fire Chief.
He was one of Central Fire Protection District’s first three firefighter/paramedics.
His past responsibilities have included Logistics Chief, Operations Chief, Safety Officer, CF Investigation Team, Emergency Response Coordinator, Emergency Medical Services Manager, and Facilities/Inventory Manager.
He has an associate’s degree in fire protection technology from Cabrillo College and a bachelor’s in chemistry from UC Santa Cruz. He is also a California State Certified Fire Investigator I, Fire Officer and Chief Officer.
The announcement of his appointment says, “He has the passion, history and dedication one needs for this role, as well as the respect of all our members.”