SANTA MONICA—Bill Walker was chosen by City Manager Rick Cole to serve as the new Fire Chief of the Santa Monica Fire Department, according to a press release from the city of Santa Monica. Walker will assume his duties on Monday, May 2 with an annual salary of $257,988. He will command 108 responders and 15 civilian staff members whose duties include preventing loss of life, property and the environment from fires, medical, and other natural or man-made disasters.
“We were searching for a dynamic leader for our fire department,” said Cole. “Chief Walker is that kind of leader and our city will benefit from his track record of community collaboration and commitment to service excellence. I am confident that he will be a great contributor to building a citywide culture of data-driven, results-oriented innovation.”
This is not the first time Walker has held the position of Fire Chief. He is currently the Fire Chief for the city of Alhambra and, prior to his five-year tenure in Alhambra, was the Fire Chief for the city of Fountain Valley.
He will be bringing an extensive track record with him to his new position as the Fire Chief for the city of Santa Monica beginning with 21 years of public safety experience. He is the 2016 President of the Los Angeles Area Fire Chiefs Association and the 2015/2016 President of the Foothill Fire Chiefs Association. He has expertise in the areas of administration, building and safety, Urban Search and Rescue, fire prevention, emergency medical services, staff training and community relations.
Walker has held the positions of Building Department Director, Battalion Chief, Captain, Fire Marshal and Paramedic. In Alhambra, he administered an annual budget of over $16 million, and managed four fire stations and a fire training facility. He has a BA in Communications from USC and is a member of both the Alhambra Rotary and the Alhambra Hospital Medical Center Governing Board. He was the 2014/2015 President of the Board of Directors of the West San Gabriel Valley YMCA.
“I’m excited and honored to have the opportunity to join the Santa Monica Fire Department as Chief,” said Walker. “Santa Monica is a remarkable and progressive place and I look forward to working with the men and women of the department to continue the long standing tradition of providing first-rate service to the community.”
