OES News Release

Contact: Eric Lamoureux, PIO for OES - (916) 845-8400

KERN COUNTY FIRE CHIEF APPOINTED TO STATE OES FIRE POST

SACRAMENTO –The Governor's Office of Emergency Services' (OES) today announced the appointment of Kern County Fire Chief Steve Gage as OES Fire and Rescue Deputy Chief of Operations for the California Fire and Rescue Mutual Aid System. His assignment will begin January 2, 2004.

A Veteran fire and rescue responder and one of the program's leading experts nationally, Chief Gage will lead day to day training and response activities for OES Fire and Rescue, he will also coordinate the California fire service response to all-risk incidents involving emergency structure fires, high-rise fires, wildland fires, major traffic accidents, multi-casualty incidents, hazardous material, train wrecks, swift water rescue, floods, earthquakes, terrorism and weapons of mass destruction.

"We are very pleased to have Chief Gage join our emergency management team," said OES Director Dallas Jones. "He brings with him a wealth of knowledge and national experience."

OES Fire and Rescue is responsible for management of the day to day operations of the State's Fire and Rescue Mutual Aid System which has at it's disposal a fleet of 110 OES engines, 12 OES water tenders, and more than 1,000 local government fire engines that can be deployed statewide during major fire sieges and disasters.

Since 1992, Gage has worked on three of the nation's five California National Incident Management Teams. His work as an Incident Commander for the California IMT included leadership of the Los Alamos, New Mexico fire in 2000 and command of the team's mission to support rescue and recovery efforts at the Pentagon following the attacks on September 11, 2001.

A native of Bakersfield, Gage has been with the Kern County Fire Department for more than 30 years. He rose through the ranks and was promoted to Chief in 2002. He began his career in the fire service more than 32 years ago as a summer firefighter with both the Kern County Fire Department and the U.S. Forest Service. During his nineteen years as a Chief Officer, Chief Gage has had management responsibility of all the divisions within the Kern County Fire Department.

Gage has been a member of the OES Fire and Rescue Services Advisory Committee/ FIRESCOPE Board of Directors, Metro Fire Chiefs, California Fire Chiefs, Chairs the Wildfire Coordinating Group, and served as the Kern County Fire and Rescue Operational Area Coordinator. He is also active in the Bakersfield South Rotary Club.

Steve and his wife Kathy have three children; Jeremy, Jonathen, and Kellie, three grandchildren and one on the way.

Chief Gage brings a excellent perspective and background to the state," said OES State Fire Chief Kim Zagaris. "His knowledge and expertise working within California and Nationally will greatly enhance our ability to serve the California Fire and Rescue Mutual Aid System as well as to support national disasters." "