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Seaside honors Fire Chief Mary Gutierrez on retirement after 36 years in fire service
Summary
Chief Mary Gutierrez was honored at the Dec. 19 council meeting with a plaque, county proclamation and remarks recognizing a 36-year fire-service career, including leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic and local improvements to Seaside fire operations.
The City of Seaside held a public recognition for Fire Chief Mary Gutierrez at its Dec. 19 meeting as she prepares to retire at the end of the year after 36 years in the fire service.
Mayor Ian Oglesby presented a plaque that thanked Chief Gutierrez for "dedicated service, leadership, and unwavering commitment to the safety and well-being of our community." Chief Gutierrez thanked her family and colleagues, said she felt embraced by the community and reflected on a 36-year career she described as "an incredible journey." She told the council, "I come to work each day wanting to make a difference..."
County and state officials joined the recognition. A county supervisor read and presented a proclamation reciting Chief Gutierrez's career milestones, including early service as a community public service officer, paramedic certification, time with the San Jose Fire Department and Gilroy Fire Department, and her service as Seaside fire chief beginning in 2020 during the pandemic. The proclamation noted Chief Gutierrez's role in emergency response coordination across jurisdictions.
Assembly Member Dawn Addis also spoke, praising Chief Gutierrez for overseeing renovations to Seaside's fire station, coordinating design for a future second station on former Fort Ord property, establishing a fire-and-police cadet program, building a sister-department relationship with the Oaxaca, Mexico, Fire Department, increasing staffing through hiring nine firefighters, and improving the emergency-response fleet. Addis said Gutierrez had "broken glass ceilings" and emphasized how rare women chiefs are nationally.
Chief Gutierrez said she was honored and acknowledged firefighters and department staff, including a deputy chief and department captains, and thanked the community for support over her tenure.
The council's presentation included a ceremonial key and plaque and concluded with applause and photo opportunities. The recognition was presented before the council moved to other business on the agenda.
