VISALIA – Daniel S. Griswold has been chosen as the City of Visalia’s new Fire Chief. In a new and very successful approach to recruitment, the City of Visalia partnered with the Western Fire Chiefs Association to conduct a nationwide recruitment for Visalia’s next Fire Chief. Highly qualified candidates from the Central Valley and as far away as Florida, Maryland, and Wyoming competed to serve in this respected and sought-after role.
“I am extremely pleased with the results of this recruitment”, noted City Manager Randy Groom. “From among several top candidates, we found Dan to be not only a highly experienced candidate but an excellent fit for the department, the City organization, and the community. His leadership, experience, character, and competence quickly took him to the front of the pack, and he made a lasting, favorable impression on everyone during the process.”
The Fire Chief is an at-will department head position for the all-hazard emergency response agency. In the lead role, Griswold will oversee a Department that fielded 15,229 calls for service in fiscal year 2017/2018 and has a total staff of 82, both safety and non-safety personnel.
Griswold comes to Visalia from the city of Casper, Wyoming – the second largest city in Wyoming – where he currently serves as the Deputy Chief of Administrative Support Services for Casper’s Fire & Emergency Medical Services Department. Previous experience includes six years as Casper’s Deputy Chief of Operations, and two years as Battalion Chief, with a total of 20 years of experience in fire service.
Griswold holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Organizational Leadership from the University of Wyoming and a Master in Public Administration from Grand Canyon University.
“I am humbled for this opportunity to serve as Visalia’s Fire Chief. I am excited to be joining a Department and an Organization that has shown me professionalism and high-character throughout the hiring process,” shared Griswold. “I look forward to contributing to the organization and the Department as we continue to pursue the mission and goals of each. I believe there is honor in committing one’s life to serve others. I find personal and professional fulfillment in the fire service and look forward to beginning this next chapter of my career in Visalia.”
Griswold is slated to start with the City of Visalia in February.
