Jonathan Goulding appointed Vallejo’s permanent fire chief

by John Glidden | glid24@protonmail.com | June 15, 2026

VALLEJO – Jonathan Goulding has been appointed the city’s permanent fire chief, after the position was filled with numerous interim appointments over the past two years following the firing of the previous fire chief in 2024.

Goulding previously served as chief of the Hollister Fire Department. He began with Vallejo on Monday, June 15.

“Chief Goulding’s extensive experience, proven leadership, and dedication to public service make him an outstanding addition to our executive team,” said City Manager Harry Black in a press release announcing the appointment. “We are excited to welcome him to Vallejo and look forward to his leadership as we continue strengthening public safety services for our community.”

According to the city, Goulding is a certified State Fire Training Instructor and holds a master’s degree in public safety leadership and administration from Arizona State University, with a concentration in Executive Fire Administration.

“It is an honor to join the city of Vallejo Fire Department,” Goulding said in the same press release. “I look forward to working alongside the dedicated members of the department, city leadership, community partners, and residents to continue advancing public safety services throughout Vallejo.”

The hiring of Goulding comes after a failed recruitment to fill the position at the end of last year. Department Spokesman Kevin Brown told JohnGlidden.com in November 2025 that the city made an employment offer to a candidate employed 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. In April, Long was hired as Sutter County fire chief, after a stint as deputy chief with the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services.

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.

One of Murray’s final decisions was the hiring of Leonard “Brad” Job as the city’s newest public works director.

According to the city, Job recently served as Director of Engineering for the U.S. Forest Service Region 5 in Vallejo, “where he managed more than $200 million in annual engineering and fleet expenditures spanning 18 national forests and 20 million acres across California.”

Job replaced Oscar Alcantar, who has served as interim public works director since the departure of longtime public works employee, Melissa Tigbao. Tigbao left Vallejo to become the public works manager with the city of Pacifica in May 2025.