Adrian Sheppard was appointed Fire Chief of the City of Richmond, CA, on December 31, 2014. Throughout his time in Richmond, Chief Sheppard has implemented technologies and strategies that capture data to improve the community’s emergency response. He believes that using data leads to informed decision-making for the procurement and deployment of resources to meet the community’s demands. Chief Sheppard feels that civic engagement is the essential metric one uses to determine the fire service’s quality and values to the community. Therefore, he encourages community members to be a part of the fire department’s strategic planning process. Chief Sheppard strives to improve the communities around him, and he takes part in various committees to assist those in need. As a member of the Richmond Homeless Task Force, Chief Sheppard works with public safety and public health agencies to research and address the unhoused population’s needs. He is the Richmond Fire and Police Holiday Toy Program president that provides food and gifts to underserved families. Additionally, Chief Sheppard is a member of the Disaster Council, Richmond Housing Interdepartmental Team, and the Contra Costa County Fire Chief’s Association. Before joining the City of Richmond, Chief Sheppard began his career with the City of Oakland Fire Department in 1997. There, he was promoted through the ranks of fire engineer, lieutenant, captain, and battalion chief. As a battalion chief, he was in charge of the department’s training program, communications center, and support services. Chief Sheppard’s experience includes commanding mass casualty incidents, high-rise fires, and active shooter events. Chief Sheppard is a retired Air Force Officer who embodies “service before self.” He believes that leading America’s finest service members is a career highlight and is honored to have been a part of such a dynamic team. Chief Sheppard received has a Bachelor’s of Science in Professional Aeronautics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, a Master’s of Science in Leadership and Disaster preparedness from Grand Canyon University, and a Master’s of Arts in Security Studies from the Naval Postgraduate School. He is also a graduate of the Naval Postgraduate School’s Executive Leadership Program and is a certified Chief Fire Officer (California State Fire Marshal).