After more than 30 years with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) Chief Candace Gregory has announced her retirement. Gregory, 52, of Madera County, worked in various assignments throughout the state since beginning her fire service career in 1976 with the United States Forest Service in Waldport, Ore. on the Siuslaw National Forest.

In 1977 she joined CAL FIRE as a seasonal firefighter in Butte County. Gregory will retire as CAL FIRE’s Southern Region Chief. Her responsibilities include the operations and administration for the Southern California CAL FIRE Units, which incorporate all areas south of Sacramento and the Bay Area to the international border. Gregory has held the position of Region Chief since June of 2006.

Gregory’s extensive background in forestry, resource management, fire protection and administration has made her an asset to not only CAL FIRE, but the entire California fire service.

Gregory is a strong advocate for cooperative fire protection agreements and in building lasting relationships with public safety partners. She supports technology and has always looked to the future when developing new programs.

She has also left a lasting mark on the history of CAL FIRE. Throughout her career, Gregory has had the distinction of the being the first woman in the department to promote to a number of leadership positions. They include battalion chief, division chief, deputy chief, unit chief, assistant region chief, and region chief. She is still the only woman to have held the positions of unit chief and region chief.

“Chief Gregory has served as a role model for women in the fire service since the beginning of her career. She is a true pioneer in that regard," said CAL FIRE Director Del Walters. "She has earned the respect of those in CAL FIRE and the public safety community of California due to her quiet competence, ethics and compassion.”

Gregory will officially retire from CAL FIRE on Dec. 30, 2009.