David Endaya Reflects on Department’s Evolution

Here is the rundown 👇

Read this if you track city leadership, fire service modernization, or Ventura’s public safety history.

📍 What Just Happened

Ventura Fire Chief David Endaya, 55, is set to retire on Dec. 19, closing out a long career that began in the 1990s.

The chief reflected on the transformation from paper maps and clipboards to fully digital response systems.

📋 Key Details

• Career Start: 1994 emergency responder
• Joined Ventura Fire: 1996 as paramedic
• Fire Chief Since: 2014
• Tech Evolution: From Thomas Guides to iPads, GPS mapping, digital dispatch
• Impact: Led modernization and multi-agency wildfire response efforts

🔍 Why This Matters

Marks the end of an era for the Ventura Fire Department.

Leadership change comes amid rising wildfire threats and evolving emergency technology.

His retirement creates a significant vacancy in city public safety strategy.

🧠 The Bottom Line

Chief Endaya is stepping away after decades of service, leaving a legacy of modernization and leadership that helped shape today’s Ventura Fire Department, inspiring future firefighters and ensuring the department is prepared for evolving challenges and community needs.