Fire Chief Ed Tubbs to Retire in May 2013

Fire Chief Edward Tubbs, who doubles as chief of both the Piedmont and Albany Fire Departments, will retire in May, 2013, according to a press release issued by the City of Piedmont on Thursday.

Piedmont will begin the recruitment process for a new chief immediately. City officials did not specify whether a new chief will serve in both cities.

“It has been my pleasure to be a part of the Piedmont and Albany Fire Departments and to have worked with so many great city employees,” Tubbs said. “I will miss my counterparts and fellow staff who have not only been my partners, but my friends.” 

Tubbs joined the Piedmont Fire Department as its chief in August, 2010. In April of the following year, Albany and Piedmont agreed to a one-year pilot program where Tubbs would split his time between the two cities. The job-share program was renewed for another year in April of 2012.

Under the initial agreement, Tubbs got a 10 percent raise for the extra work of managing two departments, for a total of about $266,750 in salary and benefits. He continued to be a Piedmont municipal employee, with Albany reimbursing the city for its share of his pay.

The program saved Piedmont about $111,000 in its first year, while Albany saved about $85,000.

Captains in both departments continued to be responsible for day-to-day emergency response operations.

The job-sharing program also benefits both cities in areas like training and purchasing, and gives them more clout in dealing with regional agencies, Piedmont City Administrator Geoffrey Grote said when the agreement was renewed last April.

“The City of Piedmont has benefitted tremendously from Chief Tubbs service over the past few years. His talent and competence as Fire Chief has been a tremendous asset,” Grote said Thursday. “I wish him the best in his retirement.” 

In Albany, Tubbs replaced Fire Chief Marc McGinn, who officially retired in the summer of 2010 but continued working on a salary-only basis until the job-share program went into effect. 

Before joining the Piedmont Fire Department, Tubbs served as assistant fire chief with the City of Dixon. He began his 28 years in the fire service in the City of Davis, working his way up from firefighter to captain. He holds a bachelor's degree in communications from Sacramento State University and a variety of certifications in fire prevention and related subjects.