Chief Kim Zagaris
Kim Zagaris or Chief Z as some call him, is currently the Wildfire Policy and Technology Advisor for the Western Fire Chiefs Association. His position is new, created in response to the destructive wildfires that have unfolded across the West.
Zagaris retired as State Fire and Rescue Chief for the State of California, Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES), a position he held for 18 years. He has an extensive background in fire service, emergency management, and homeland security, which includes working with local, state, federal, and international agencies over his 48-year fire service career. During his time, he served under six Governors and has been actively involved in every major and catastrophic emergency in California, as well as several in the nation.