by John Glidden | glid24@protonmail.com | March 11, 2026
VALLEJO – Almost two years after Vallejo dismissed its fire chief, city officials have begun another search to permanently fill the position following a failed recruitment last year. The city released a hiring brochure in late February, outlining the job responsibilities, including salary details which indicate that the new chief will earn between $229,838.34 to $279,369.79 in base salary. The job search is scheduled to close on March 16. City hall anticipates hiring the new chief in early May.
This is, at least, the second time the city attempted to fill the fire chief position. Department Spokesman Kevin Brown told JohnGlidden.com in November 2025 that the city made an employment offer to a candidate outside of Vallejo fire but that person “opted to stay with his current department to seek upward movement there.”
Former interim Deputy Fire Chief James Rustice was appointed interim fire chief in November 2025, becoming the third such interim fire chief since June 2024. Rustice replaced Arthur Gonzales, who served in the interim post for most of 2025.
Vallejo hasn’t had a permanent fire chief since Kyle Long was relieved of his duties in April 2024, ultimately being terminated in June 2024. Long received three months’ severance equal to more than $63,000 according to a separation agreement with the city of Vallejo.
Following Long’s removal, then-interim Police Ta was named acting fire chief for two months before City Manager Andrew Murray named Frank Drayton, as Vallejo’s interim fire chief in June 2024. Due to retirement restrictions imposed by CalPERS, Drayton had to leave the position at the start of 2025.
Murray then appointed interim Deputy Fire Chief Arthur Gonzales to serve as Vallejo’s new interim fire chief, in early 2025 before Rustice was named to the position last November.
City hall has multiple top positions filled by interim appointments
Vallejo entered 2026 with several top city hall positions filled with interim appointments, including economic development director. In January, city officials announced that Brad Paul had been hired as interim economic development director.
According to the city, Paul served as deputy director and as acting director of the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG), and later as deputy executive director for local government services with the consolidated ABAG/Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) staff.
Paul began with the city of Vallejo on January 12, and reports to Assistant City Manager Gillian Haen, according to a conditional offer of employment submitted to Paul and obtained by JohnGlidden.com via a public records request. Paul earns $105 per hour, which translates to a yearly salary of $218,730.
“I’m excited to step into this position, given the incredible assets Vallejo offers to new businesses and those looking to expand,” Paul said in a statement released by the city at the time of his hiring. “From its historic architecture and waterfront location to its high-speed ferry service and Mare Island, Vallejo is well-positioned for growth. Coupled with a strong talent pipeline from Cal Poly Maritime Academy, Touro University, and Solano Community College—and some of the most affordable commercial and residential property remaining in the Bay Area—Vallejo is truly an attractive destination for investment.”
Vallejo has been without a permanent economic development director since early 2025 after Michael Nimon accepted a similar position with the city of Walnut Creek. Nimon was originally hired in August 2022 as special advisor to the city manager for economic development replacing Paul Kelly, who served in the position from May 2020 to June 2022. Assistant City Manager Gillian Haen served as acting economic development director between prior to Paul’s hiring.
Other city departments without a permanent director include the finance department, information technology, public works, and code enforcement.
Main photo caption: Vallejo firefighters mop up after an early morning fire started outside the John F. Kennedy Public Library in January 2023. Photo: John Glidden.
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