Bruce H. Varner, Retired Fire Chief, Santa Rosa, California
Bruce Varner was appointed Fire Chief of Santa Rosa, California in May of 2004 and retired December 2010. He served as the Fire Chief in Carrollton, Texas for the previous 12 years. Chief Varner began his fire service career with the Phoenix (Arizona) Fire Department, where he served for 25 years, promoting to the rank of Deputy Chief in 1985.
His experience in the fire service includes administration, operations, communications, safety, airport operations, training, fire prevention and investigations. He has taught numerous firefighter training classes throughout the United States and is recognized for his expertise in fire fighter protective clothing.
Chief Varner holds an Associate in Arts Degree in Fire Science and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. He is an active member of the following professional organizations; California State Firefighters Association, California Fire Chiefs Association, Sonoma County Fire Chiefs Association, National Fire Protection Association, Fire Department Safety Officers, International Association of Fire Chiefs, and The Institution of Fire Engineers.
He also serves on the NFPA Technical Correlating Committee on Fire Service Protective Clothing and Equipment, the Safety and Health committee of the International Association of Fire Chiefs, Fireman’s Fund Heritage Foundation Board Member and a Board Member of the Redwood Empire Dispatch Communications Authority (REDCOM) JPA. He chairs the NFPA committee on Electronic Safety Equipment for Fire and Emergency Services. In August of 2001 he was named Fire Chief Magazine’s Career Fire Chief of the year.