Welcome Chief Mary Gutierrez
The Seaside Fire Department is proud to announce the appointment of Mary Gutierrez to be Seaside’s next Fire Chief. Ms. Gutierrez brings thirty-one years of experience in the fire service to the position, including service as a Battalion Chief in the San Jose Fire Department and service as a Division Chief and Acting Chief in the Gilroy Fire Department. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of California, Santa Barbara.
Ms. Gutierrez was selected following an open, national recruitment, with 32 applicants. A five member interview panel including Police Chief Pridgen, Fire Chief Dempsey and Seaside Firefighters Association President Captain Jason Black ranked her as the leading candidate following the interviews, and her reference checks were excellent.
Ms. Gutierrez began her service as Seaside Fire Chief on January 4. She will be succeeding Chief Brian Dempsey, who will be retiring on December 22. Ms. Gutierrez said she was drawn to apply for the Seaside position “given the excellent reputation of the Seaside Fire Department and clear spirit of teamwork across the City’s departments”.
Please help us in welcoming Chief Gutierrez to the Seaside Family.
