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Fire Chief
As a fifth generation Humboldt County native, I am proud to serve my community. I joined the Arcata Fire District in 1994 as a Volunteer Firefighter and was hired seven years later as part of the Career Firefighter staff. My roots to this community and to the Arcata Fire District run deep. My great uncle, Rollo Guthridge, sat on the District Board for many years. My dad, Dennis, followed along the same path and became a Board Member shortly after I joined as a volunteer. Following in my footsteps, my brother, Ross, joined as a Volunteer a few years later and is now a Career Firefighter. For the last eight years, I have been a member of the District’s administrative team - progressively gaining more responsibility over specific areas of the budget, human resource management, and overall leadership of the organization.
I graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Studies from CSU Long Beach in 2009. I strive to continue my education through professional development in the fire services, recently completing my Chief Officer certification from the State Fire Training.
When I began as a volunteer firefighter, I knew that my future would lie within the Arcata Fire District. I want to continue to serve the community that has been so influential in my life. I have waited my entire career for this opportunity, and I look forward to the challenges that lay ahead.
Respectfully,
Justin McDonald
Fire Chief