Bay Area

Steven Torrence Hired to Lead County of Marin’s Office of Emergency Management

Steven Torrence, who has coordinated emergency response services in the Los Angeles area for the past 10 years, has been selected as the new Director of Emergency Management within the Marin County Fire Department.  Fire Chief Jason Weber said Torrence was the choice among 67 applicants following a nationwide recruitment. His first day leading the County of Marin’s Office of Emergency Management (OEM) was February 22.

Published

2 years ago

March 6, 2023

Oakland Post

Steven Torrence began duties in Marin County on Febrary 22. Photo courtesy of Marin County.

Fire Chief Jason Weber said Torrence was the choice among 67 applicants following a nationwide recruitment. His first day leading the County of Marin’s Office of Emergency Management (OEM) was February 22.

“Steven joins us with a commitment to building more resilient communities,” Weber said. “His experience and passion for emergency management is contagious. He showed his passion as he talked about building critical relationships that ensure success during an emergency response. We are thrilled to have him in this critical leadership role.”

Torrence most recently served as the Emergency Services Administrator for the City of Santa Monica. He oversaw the city’s Office of Emergency Management (OEM), its Emergency Operations Center, alert and warning systems, community preparedness, and emergency planning.

Simultaneously, he served as regional coordinator for Area A of Los Angeles County and helped coordinate trainings, responses, and communications for the cities of Culver City, Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, and Santa Monica plus private-sector partners and hospitals.

His array of emergency experience includes responses to wildfires, tsunamis, the COVID-19 pandemic, heat events, civil unrest incidents, infrastructure failures, aircraft incidents, and large-scale planned events such as presidential visits and the Super Bowl.

He has led regional emergency management committees such as the Orange County CERT Mutual Aid Committee, for which he served as committee chair.

Torrence routinely speaks at conferences and seminars throughout California on emergency preparedness and mitigation in relation to the diversity of the state’s population.

Most notably, he has spoken at the California Emergency Services Association conference on the topic of diversity, equity, and inclusion in emergency management.

“Building a resistant and resilient community is core to the Marin County Office of Emergency Management,” Torrence said. “To achieve this vision, we must ensure that we are effectively planning and preparing each person for the hazards of today and tomorrow.”

Torrence began to focus on firefighting and emergency management while obtaining an associate’s degree at Chaffey College in Rancho Cucamonga, near Los Angeles, then continued with a public administration degree from the University of La Verne.

He has a master’s degree in emergency and disaster management from Georgetown University, for which he serves as a guest lecturer for the graduate program.

He began his professional career with the Rancho Cucamonga Fire District and later became emergency services coordinator for the City of Placentia.

The Marin County Public Information Office provided this report.

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Oakland Post: Week of November 27 – December 3, 2024

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of November 27 – December 3, 2024, 2024

Published

3 days ago

November 30, 2024

Oakland Post

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OCCUR Hosts “Faith Forward” Conference in Oakland

The conference featured Congresswoman-elect Lateefah Simon, who will begin her term representing California’s 12th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives in January.
Simon was honored with a special recognition from OCCUR for her civic and nonprofit leadership.

Published

1 week ago

November 24, 2024

Oakland Post

President and CEO of OCCUR addresses the audience at OCCUR Faith Forward 2024 Conference at Resurrection Church. Photo by Carla Thomas.

By Carla Thomas

The Oakland Citizens Committee for Urban Renewal (OCCUR) hosted its Faith Forward 2024 Conference on Nov. 8 at Resurrection Church in Oakland.

The conference featured Congresswoman-elect Lateefah Simon, who will begin her term representing California’s 12^th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives in January.

Simon was honored with a special recognition from OCCUR for her civic and nonprofit leadership. During her remarks, She commended nonprofits making a difference, and shared how she looked forward to representing Oakland and surrounding areas.

Simon also encouraged attendees to continue fighting despite their concerns about the presidential election results. She also cautioned that there may be resources that are discontinued as a result.

“We know the assignment. We have many of the resources right within our own community, and we will be ok,” Simon assured the audience.

The conference led by OCCUR president, Dr. David B. Franklin, also featured panels on funding opportunities, case studies, economic development, sustainable housing solutions, and organizing for action.

“In order for organizations serving the community to thrive, everyone must collaborate, share resources, and not operate in silos,” said Franklin.

Speakers included San Francisco Foundation CEO, Fred Blackwell, San Francisco Foundation FAITHS Program Director Dr. Michelle Chambers, and Kingmakers of Oakland Founder, Chris Chatmon. Guests were briefed on how Kingmakers of Oakland has gone from a budget of zero to several million and is set to acquire 200 acres of property to expand their programs serving young boys. The leadership at the San Francisco Foundation encouraged nonprofits, churches, and community leaders to work together, especially when donations and funding numbers are lower.

Ben Bartlett of Berkeley City Council; Trevor Parham, CEO of Oakstop; and CEO of the Lao Family Community Development, Inc., Kathy Chao Rothberg, inspired attendees with stories about their journeys in the nonprofit sector.

Additional speakers included Deka Dike, CEO of Omatachi; Landis Green, CEO of DGS Strategies; Sasha Werblin, Director of Economic Development, LISC Bay Area; Oakland City Councilmember Treva Reid; Faith and Justice Organizer of East Bay Housing Organizations, Ronnie Boyd; and Todd Bendon, Executive Director of Faith in Action East Bay; among others.

The event allowed community leaders, faith-based leaders, and nonprofits to gain Insight on how to strengthen their profits financially, and communally.

OCCUR has served the community for over 70 years supporting the wellbeing of historically marginalized communities with collaborative strategies. For more information visit occurnow.org

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Bay Area

Richmond’s New Fire Chief Sworn In

“Chief Osorio rose up through the ranks in the Richmond Fire Department over the last 21 years before being elevated to chief,” noted Harpreet Sandhu, field representative for Congressmember John Garamendi,. “He joined the department in 2002 and has served in multiple roles including firefighter, engineer, captain, battalion chief, training director and deputy fire chief.”

Published

1 week ago

November 24, 2024

Oakland Post

Chief Osorio (far left) was sworn in at a well-attended ceremony at Richmond City Hall on Nov. 15. All photos by Mike Kinney.

By Mike Kinney
The Richmond Standard

Richmond Fire Chief Aaron Osorio was sworn into his new role in a well-attended ceremony at Richmond City Council Chambers on Friday, Nov. 15.

The crowd included Osorio’s family and friends, rank-and-file Richmond firefighters, fellow fire chiefs from Bay Area agencies, elected officials and community members.

Richmond City Manager Shasa Curl provided an introduction and acknowledged Chief Osorio’s “heroic service to Richmond.”

Harpreet Sandhu, field representative for Congressmember John Garamendi, presented the chief with a Congressional Commendation, citing his 23 years of serving in the fire service in Richmond in numerous positions.

“Chief Osorio rose up through the ranks in the Richmond Fire Department over the last 21 years before being elevated to chief,” Sandhu noted. “He joined the department in 2002 and has served in multiple roles including firefighter, engineer, captain, battalion chief, training director and deputy fire chief.”

The chief’s wife, Maria, and two sons Roman and Mateo helped perform the badge-pinning.

Richmond City Clerk Pamela Christian then conducted the swearing-in ceremony.

Chief Osorio thanked his family, colleagues, and city for their support, calling it “very humbling” to take on leadership of an “amazing organization.”

Once the ceremony was done, the chief stated, “I’m ready to get to work.”