Through sound management of nearly 600 firefighters, former Fire Chief Gerald Simon consistently maintained the well-being and safety of over 400,000 Oakland, California, residents. Preparing for his career in first the unlikely role of a Political Science major at Santa Clara University, Gerald Simon soon found his path diverging into fire service at the suggestion of a friend. His first experience saving a person’s life galvanized his resolve and commitment to firefighting.Gerald Simon served as Fire Chief for several California cities, including Union City, Oakland, and Santa Clara, as well as Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Currently, he works as a Fire Service Consultant for the City of Oakland. Involved in the field for over 30 years, he is highly trained in a number of related areas, including fire prevention, fire suppression, and hazardous-materials containment and removal. Additionally, Mr. Simon is proficient in administering emergency medical services.In an effort to ensure consistent quality within the fire service industry, Gerald Simon spends a great deal of time educating and training students and professionals in the field. He currently teaches at the Carl Holmes Executive Development Institute at Dillard University in New Orleans. He has also instructed students in disaster preparedness at the California Specialized Training Institute.As an accomplished fire professional, Gerald Simon earned placement on a number of international delegations. In Russia, he introduced principles of critical-incident stress management; he also examined the options for reducing fire deaths and bolstering adherence to fire code in a delegation to China. In the United Kingdom, Gerald Simon participated in a program to enhance workplace diversity and gender equality in the London Fire Brigade.