Oakland Fire Chief Reginald Freeman has announced his selection of Battalion Chief Tracey Chin to serve as the Program Manager for CA Task Force 4 Urban Search & Rescue (US&R) Team.
Oakland Fire is the lead agency for FEMA Urban Search and Rescue Task Force 4 which is made up of representatives from 16 area agencies. The team is called upon to respond to a variety of emergencies and disasters including earthquakes, hurricanes, storms, tornadoes, floods, dam failures, technological failures, terrorist activities and hazardous materials releases.
“Chief Chin is a highly trained, experienced and dedicated member of the Oakland Fire Department, and is highly prepared to assume this critical role,” said Chief Reginald Freeman. “With 15 years as a member of CA Task Force 4, a strong organizational skillset, and multiple Type 1 deployments, Chief Chin has the necessary tools and intellect to make sure that CA Task Force 4 is effectively organized to respond to emergency incidents around the state and throughout the country.”
City of Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf added her congratulations and said she has every confidence that Chin will ensure both the Oakland Fore Department and CA Task Force 4 are always ready and equipped to respond when needed.
Chief Chin joined the Oakland Fire Department in 1999. She worked her way up, serving as a paramedic, engineer, lieutenant, captain, and battalion chief. She attended Oakland Mills College and received a BA in economics in 1995 and an MA in emergency services administration from California State University, Long Beach in 2010.