By Barry Eberling
Napa Valley Register
NAPA COUNTY, Calif. — Napa County Deputy Fire Chief Jason Martin received a send-off into retirement after helping to reshape the county fire department in the wake of devastating wildfires.
The Board of Supervisors honored him with a proclamation at Tuesday’s meeting. Martin is stepping down from a 36-year Cal Fire career, with the last 30 years in Napa County.
He became Napa County fire chief in 2021, then deputy chief in 2022 when Cal Fire decided the Sonoma - Lake - Napa unit chief should have county fire chief titles. Napa County contracts with Cal Fire to run its Fire Department.
Still, even with that title switch, Martin’s local duties remained the same and he was the face of the county fire department, fire officials said at the time.
Several speakers noted how the county reorganized the fire department under Martin’s leadership.
“It needed to happen,” County Executive Officer Ryan Alsop said. “It is a vast improvement.”
Martin will step down on Dec. 1.
“I’m not necessarily ready to leave, but I think it’s time to leave,” Martin said. “Very emotional. It is tough.”
The Napa County Fire Department’s role has had a higher profile since the massive wildfires of 2017 and 2020. Since then, the community has worked on such projects as creating key fuel breaks and stepping up defensible space education and promoting a free chipping program.
“Our county is in a better place because of the work that you’ve done,” Supervisor Anne Cottrell told Martin.
Board of Supervisors Chair Joelle Gallagher read the county’s proclamation.
“Unique to Chief Martin’s career, he worked his way through the rank structure, having held every Cal Fire rank leading to deputy chief in service and dedication to Napa County specifically,” she said.
A group of fire officials in crisp uniforms walked out just before the presentation ended, prompting laughter. Their sudden departure had nothing to do with Martin — they had to respond to a fire dispatch call.
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