The City of Malibu has hired Chris Brossard to serve as the City’s new Fire Safety Liaison effective Monday, March 29, 2021.
“The Fire Safety Liaison position was created after the devastating 2018 Woolsey Fire to ramp up the City’s efforts to help residents be more prepared for wildfires and enhance the City’s wildfire response capabilities,” said Mayor Mikke Pierson. “I am proud to say that Jerry Vandermeulen has done exactly that, and I look forward to Chris Brossard continuing and expanding this crucial service.”
Chris comes to the City after 16 seasons as a firefighter with the United States Forest Service (USFS), spending most of his time in the Los Padres National Forest, Ojai Ranger District.
Chris has substantial firefighting operational and fire prevention experience, with his last assignment as an Engine Captain in Piru. During his USFS career, Chris worked on helitack and hand crews, engine company assignments, and served time on a patrol with fire prevention duties.
Chris has been deployed in various operational and overhead positions to fires and natural disasters all over the United States. He has also served as an Incident Commander on many local incidents, served as a Strike Team leader on many mutual aid incidents, and has served as a Public Information Officer (PIO) on Federal Incident Management Teams (IMT). Chris is also a qualified Incident Communications Technician.
The Fire Safety Liaison provides a valuable Home Ignition Zone Assessment service for Malibu residents. The assessment includes offering a home visit and walk-through and provides a checklist to help the homeowners harden their home from flying embers to prevent it from catching fire during a wildfire. The Fire Safety Liaison also provides technical fire prevention and response expertise to City leadership, monitors fire weather and fuel conditions, and is in constant contact and coordination with the LA County Fire Department on fire preparedness, planning and response.
Chris will be working with Jerry Vandermeulen, the City’ previous Fire Safety Liaison who is retiring, for several weeks to ensure a smooth transition. Chris can be reached at cbrossard@malibucity.org or 310-456-2489, ext. 387.
Submitted by Matt Myerhoff
