Fire Department
Dr. Demond Simmons began his fire service career in 1997 as a firefighter with the Burlingame (CA) Fire Department. In 1999, he was part of the first firefighter-paramedic recruit class with the Oakland (CA) Fire Department. During his tenure with the Oakland Fire Department, he has served as a firefighter, firefighter-paramedic, engineer, lieutenant, captain, battalion chief and an adjunct instructor for the department's recruit academy. He is currently assigned to Fire Administration serving as a deputy chief.
Demond is a member of several fire service and public sector organizations: International Association of Black Professional Firefighters; IFSTA Validation Committee; International Association of Fire Chiefs/Company Office Leadership Committee; International Association of Fire Chiefs/Professional Development Committee; International Society of Fire Service Instructors; International City/County Management Association; National Fire Academy Graduate Programs Working Group; and the Academy of Management.
Chief Simmons has an Associate of Science Degree (Fire Science), a Bachelor of Science (Marketing), an MBA, and a Doctorate of Business Administration. He is an adjunct instructor at Golden Gate University, University of Cincinnati, California State Fire Training, and the National Fire Academy. He also serves as the current EMT & Fire Science program director at Merritt College. His motto is, be a student of your profession! Demond was first elected to the IFSTA Executive Board in July 2019.
