Demetrious Shaffer Appointed as Alameda County Fire Chief

By Bay City News Service

The Alameda County Board of Supervisors appointed a new fire chief
this week.

Demetrious Shaffer, who has served as the county fire department's interim chief since former Fire Chief Sheldon Gilbert's resignation in June, was officially appointed by the board on Friday.

"We are thrilled to announce the appointment of Demetrious Shaffer, who we believe will be an outstanding fire chief for Alameda County," Board of Supervisors President Nate Miley said in a statement. "I also want to extend my sincere thanks to Chief Shaffer, who served with great distinction over the past six months as our interim fire chief."

Shaffer is also president of the California Fire Chiefs Association and was appointed as fire chief of the Newark Fire Department in 2005 after starting his firefighting career in Mountain View.

County officials said the chief has shown leadership in challenging financial times and has worked to make delivering fire services more efficient.

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