Sutter County has a new fire boss at the helm, and leaders are banking on him to calm the waters. Kyle Long, a career firefighter with deep experience in city departments and statewide emergency programs, stepped in as fire chief on April 13, 2026, with a clear mandate to steady operations and keep public-safety services running across the county.
According to Action News Now, the county made the hire official by naming Long the department's top executive. Sutter County Supervisor Mike Ziegenmeyer welcomed Chief Long and praised his leadership and experience, with county officials telling the outlet that Long will lead the Sutter County Fire Department with an emphasis on service and safety.
Vallejo roots and union leadership
Long spent most of his firefighting career with the Vallejo Fire Department. City of Vallejo records list him among the department's senior leadership and show he served as that city's fire chief. Public filings for the Vallejo IAFF local also place Long in officer roles, underscoring both his labor-leadership background and long tenure in the fire service.
State emergency work and FIRIS
Long's resume reaches beyond city limits. FIRESCOPE task-force minutes note that the FIRIS (Fire Integrated Real-time Intelligence System) deputy-chief position was filled by "Kyle Long, Vallejo Fire," tying him to work coordinated through the Governor's Office of Emergency Services. County leaders have pointed to that familiarity with regional data and mutual-aid systems as part of his qualifications for the Sutter County job.
What he'll oversee
County recruitment materials describe the fire chief as the top official for a department that staffs three stations and operates on an annual budget of roughly $5.6 million, managing a mix of career and volunteer personnel. The job description highlights stabilizing staffing, rebuilding training programs, and pursuing grant funding to shore up operations as central priorities.
Near-term challenges
Sutter County is dealing with the familiar pressures that come with being in the Central Valley: tight budgets, lean staffing, and the ongoing need to sustain volunteer programs. Local reporting also notes that the City of Live Oak voted to cancel its public-safety contract with Sutter County, a transition the county says will take effect late next year and which officials warn will complicate planning for emergency coverage.
"I am honored to serve the Sutter County community and lead such a dedicated team of professionals," Long said in a statement to Action News Now. County materials and officials say his first order of business will be stabilizing staffing levels and strengthening community partnerships as the department moves forward.
