
City Manager Andrew Murray announced that Arthur Gonzales would be stepping in as the Interim Fire Chief following the departure of Frank Drayton. Drayton, who served with commendable dedication, was praised by Murray for his "excellent service" in the interim role, according to a post on Vallejo Fire Department's social media.
Hailing from the local terrains, Gonzales isn't a stranger to Vallejo nor to the fires he's been fighting since he embarked on his journey with the department in 1995 as a Vallejo Fire Explorer. After graduating from Hogan High in 1997, he blazed through the ranks, attending the first Firefighter Trainee Program in 2000 and securing his role as a full-time Paramedic Firefighter the following year. With a slew of promotions under his belt, he ascended to the role of Battalion Chief in December of 2022 and, as recently as April of 2024, embraced the interim deputy chief position.
In his newfound role, Gonzales is poised to uphold the department's vision, which, in his words, "will remain the same." His dedication shines through when he says, as per the Vallejo Fire Department, “The Vallejo Fire Department will be a progressive organization that provides leadership and high-quality safety to the community we serve. I look forward to building upon the progress we have made as an organization in this interim role.”