Paul started his career with CAL FIRE in the Madera-Mariposa-Merced Unit in 1984 and remained there until 1988. He then took an Engineer position in the Fresno-Kings Unit and after one year, he went back to MMU. Over the next two decades, Paul would hold positions in the San Benito-Monterey, San Luis Obispo, Santa Clara, San Mateo-Santa Cruz, and Napa Units. In 2011, he went back to the San Luis Obispo Unit and stayed there until he retired.

Paul served as a Firefighter, Fire Apparatus Engineer, Fire Captain (16 years), Battalion Chief, and Assistant Chief. He worked in Schedule A and B, Fire Camps, Training bureau, Law Enforcement Bureau, Public Information and Public relations for the nine counties surrounding the Bay Area, and Assistant Chief of Ventura Camp administrating the two contract counties of Santa Barbara and Ventura. Paul was qualified in all operational ICS positions up to Incident Commander and served on Incident Command Team 7. When he first started his career, CAL FIRE would have one 9,000-acre fire in a year, and it was a big deal. When he retired, CAL FIRE had five 45,000-acre fires burning at the same time. This year there were multiple fires burning over 100,000 acres. Paul is confident that we are experiencing a climate impact to which we have not seen the worst yet.

Paul served 36 years in the fire service and has served as the State Finance Director of Local 2881 for the past eight years. Utilizing his business management skills, he has successfully grown Local 2881’s wealth into a financial security with a proven business plan in creating structured saving and investment planning. Paul feels Local 2881 is on the path to becoming financially self-sufficient with time and achieving a priority towards strategic growth to prepare our union for the future challenges ahead. Paul is looking forward to serving the members for two more years. Standing Strong and United!