Quick Take
After nearly 35 years of service, the fire chief who led evacuations in Watsonville during the 2023 floods announced his retirement Tuesday morning. Rudy López’s last day will be Dec. 31.
After nearly 35 years of service, the fire chief who led the evacuations in Watsonville during the 2023 floods announced his retirement Tuesday morning. Fire Chief Rudy López’s last day will be Dec. 31.
López — a native of Watsonville — began his career in 1990 as a reserve firefighter for the Watsonville Fire Department. He eventually rose through the ranks and worked as a firefighter, fire captain and division fire chief. López was promoted to fire chief in 2019, replacing Pablo Barreto, who left to serve as chief in Salinas.
“It has been the greatest honor of my professional life to serve my hometown of Watsonville,” López said in a media release. “I am immensely proud of the dedication, professionalism, and courage demonstrated every day by our firefighters and staff.”
López coordinated emergency response efforts following flooding in 2023, overseeing the evacuation of residents in the Bridge Street corridor near Salsipuedes Creek in the city.
“He has spent more than three decades with the city contributing to the work of the fire department and supporting our community emergency response efforts,” Watsonville City Manager Tamara Vides said in a statement. “We thank him for his long tenure and wish him the best in his retirement.”
The search for the next fire chief is underway, according to the statement. Corey Schaefer will serve as interim chief until a permanent replacement is named.
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