Merced Fire Chief Derek Parker is leaving the city after leading the Fire Department for three years.
Parker is returning to Sacramento, where he has previous professional experience.
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The big picture: The city announced Parker’s departure on Wednesday.
- Since taking over as chief in 2021, Parker played a pivotal role in strengthening the department’s services and implemented advanced training programs for firefighters.
- The city also praised Parker for strengthening collaborative partnerships with other local agencies to ensure the highest level of service.
Go deeper: Merced credits Parker for securing $4 million in state funding through Asm. Esmeralda Soria (D–Fresno) for a new fire station and emergency operations center. The new facility will house a fire station and integrate a police department substation to serve as an emergency operations center for the entire region.
- Parker also secured $3 million in funding from Sen. Anna Caballero (D–Merced) for the Haw Regional Training Center, a regional fire academy and public safety training facility that will include firefighter, rescue and emergency response education.
- FEMA gave the city a $9 million SAFER grant to hire 24 additional firefighters during Parker’s tenure.
- Parker was also in charge of coordinating Merced’s planning and response efforts during the flooding in January and March of last year.
