Full Name
Michael Contreras
Job Title
Fire Chief
Company
Cathedral City
Speaker Bio
Michael Contreras worked with the Orange County Fire Authority 32 years.
Michael was hired with the Orange County Fire Department in 1989 as a firefighter and went to paramedic school in 1994. He then promoted to the rank of Fire Captain in 2002, Battalion Chief in 2012 and Division Chief and 2018. Michael has held many specialty positions and assignments that include Assistant Fire Training Officer, Academy Instructor, Academy Coordinator, and Wellness and Fitness Coordinator. Michael has also been also a member of the department’s hazmat/JHAT team, USAR team and swift water rescue team.
Chief Contreras was the local Fire Chief for the cities of Aliso Viejo, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Woods, Lake Forest and the county unincorporated area of Emerald Bay. He was Chairperson of OCFA’s Outreach/Recruitment/Candidate Program, co-creator of the Battalion Chief and Fire Captain Academies’ human relations/employee development, and leadership curriculum. Chief Contreras was also the co-founder of the department girl’s empowerment camp.
In 2021 Chief Contreras was assigned the position of Point of Distribution (POD) Director. As POD director, Chief Contreras had complete oversight of all personnel, logistics and planning for Orange County’s vaccination distribution for operation independence vaccination POD.
In February 2021 Chief Contreras was designated as a Chief Fire Officer (CFO) by the Center for Public Safety Excellence. Michael is in final stage of complete the nationally recognized International Association of Fire Chiefs Fire Service Executive Development Program.
Michael was hired with the Orange County Fire Department in 1989 as a firefighter and went to paramedic school in 1994. He then promoted to the rank of Fire Captain in 2002, Battalion Chief in 2012 and Division Chief and 2018. Michael has held many specialty positions and assignments that include Assistant Fire Training Officer, Academy Instructor, Academy Coordinator, and Wellness and Fitness Coordinator. Michael has also been also a member of the department’s hazmat/JHAT team, USAR team and swift water rescue team.
Chief Contreras was the local Fire Chief for the cities of Aliso Viejo, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Woods, Lake Forest and the county unincorporated area of Emerald Bay. He was Chairperson of OCFA’s Outreach/Recruitment/Candidate Program, co-creator of the Battalion Chief and Fire Captain Academies’ human relations/employee development, and leadership curriculum. Chief Contreras was also the co-founder of the department girl’s empowerment camp.
In 2021 Chief Contreras was assigned the position of Point of Distribution (POD) Director. As POD director, Chief Contreras had complete oversight of all personnel, logistics and planning for Orange County’s vaccination distribution for operation independence vaccination POD.
In February 2021 Chief Contreras was designated as a Chief Fire Officer (CFO) by the Center for Public Safety Excellence. Michael is in final stage of complete the nationally recognized International Association of Fire Chiefs Fire Service Executive Development Program.
Speaking At
