Fighting fires has always been in Santa Maria Fire Chief Frank Ortiz’s blood—whether he knew it or not.
When the Sacramento native graduated from high school in 1976, his father—a local fire chief—suggested that his son sign up as a volunteer in his department. Unbeknownst to Ortiz, that position started a lifelong career as a fire fighter.
“Once I started doing it, it grew on me and kind of stuck with me,” Ortiz said in a recent interview with the Sun.
But the chief has done much more than just “stick with” firefighting.
When he retires on Sept. 25, Ortiz will be dousing the flames of a very successful career, which included working at the Lodi Fire Department and the Woodbridge Fire District, and serving for almost 13 years as Santa Maria’s head firefighter.
Since coming to Santa Maria in 1997, Ortiz has led the department through some major changes.
“When I was first hired, the city was going through some pretty big financial challenges,” Ortiz said. “Before that, the police chief was also acting as the fire chief. The position had just been separated.
“The department was extremely understaffed, and the equipment and facilities were old,” Ortiz said. “The people here were good people, but I think they were tired of the whole thing.”
Over the next dozen years, Ortiz worked tirelessly to bring the department up to date. Using grant money and other funds, he modernized local facilities, created and filled new positions, and lobbied for new fire equipment. Under Ortiz’s direction, the city has also been fundraising and planning for construction of another fire station near Preisker Park.
“My greatest accomplishment, I think, is that the department is not [the way it used to be],” Ortiz said. “We take pride in our new facilities. We’re still a little understaffed, but we’re planning to change that eventually.”
Ortiz said he’s also proud of the department’s effort to take on more responsibilities under his watch, and its ability to build strong relationships with other public safety organizations.
“When I first came here to work, the department was pretty two-dimensional: We responded to fire and medical calls,” he said. “We’ve really diversified over the years.”
Now, the department is part of the Urban Search and Rescue Regional Task Force for Santa Barbara and Ventura counties, and provides aircraft rescue fire fighting services to the Santa Maria Public Airport.
In addition to those duties, the department also responds to forest fires. Most recently, Ortiz said, the department sent 16 firefighters to assist with the La Brea blaze.
Ortiz said he’s more than happy to offer a helping hand to other agencies because he knows his department would receive the same treatment if the circumstances were reversed.
“We all come together when it’s needed and get the job done,” he said.
The trick, Ortiz explained, is to build strong working relationships during non-stressful times. That way, help will always be there in times of an emergency.
That kind of thinking is part of what makes Ortiz a great leader, according to Deputy Fire Chief Jeff Jones.
“He’s a good guy to work with and for,” said Jones, who’s been appointed interim chief in Ortiz’s absence. “He’s not afraid to think outside the box.”
Jones said joining the search and rescue task force was especially smart because it provides a vital service while spreading out the cost and work load.
As interim fire chief, Jones said he plans to support the department’s current goals. And even if he’s appointed to the position permanently, Jones said he would only make “slight changes” to the department’s current schematics.
“This is a good organization,” Jones said. “Of course it has its financial challenges just like so many other organizations, but it’s a good organization with good people and a good plan.” m
Contact News Editor Amy Asman at aasman@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Sep 10-17, 2009.