Breakfast with Ralph M. Terrazas

AIA|LA City Leaders Breakfast Reception with Ralph M. Terrazas – Chief, Los Angeles Fire Department

2020 City Leaders Breakfast Series Presented By: Opportunity Available

The 2020 AIA|LA City Leaders Breakfast Series serves as an opportunity for architects & designers and other community stakeholders to meet directly with key individuals transforming Los Angeles in a roundtable setting to discuss innovative ideas that will ensure a healthy, sustainable and economically competitive future.

Ralph M. Terrazas – Chief, Los Angeles Fire Department

Ralph M. Terrazas was confirmed Fire Chief of the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) on August 8, 2014.  Chief Terrazas is a 35-year veteran and is the 18th Fire Chief of the LAFD.

Prior to his appointment, he served as a Chief Officer for 14 years in a variety of field and administrative assignments.  His Chief Officer field assignments included: Battalion18 (West LA), Battalion 7 (East LA), and South Division (South half of the City of Los Angeles).

 While at his administrative assignments, he established the Department’s Professional Standards Division (PSD), which upgraded and professionalized the LAFD’s disciplinary system; led the development and passage of the Proposition “F” Fire Station Bond, which enabled the construction of 19 new LAFD Fire Stations; he is the holder of a U.S. Patent for a “Brush Fire Rate of Spread” tool and an Emmy Award of Excellence for production of a public service announcement program.

 Since his appointment in 2014, Chief Terrazas has overseen the hiring of hundreds of new Firefighters,  the reopening of previously closed Engine Companies,  the implementation of the Firestat process, the establishment of a new Emergency Medical Services Bureau, the creation of innovative resources such as the Advanced Provider Response Unit and the Fast Response Vehicle, the instituting of the Unmanned Aerial System (Drone) Program, the establishment of the LAFD/LAUSD Firefighter High School Magnet Program and many others. 

 Chief Terrazas was born in Long Beach, CA, and was raised in nearby Wilmington. He is a graduate of Banning High School, Class of 1978.  He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Administration and a Certificate in Fire Protection Administration from San Diego State University. In 1995, he received Master’s Degree in Public Administration with an emphasis on Human Resource Management from California State University, Los Angeles. He was appointed to the LAFD in December 1983.

Photo Credit: Los Angeles Fire Department