Stockton’s fire chief is hanging up his helmet.
Richard Edwards, who has led the department for five years, plans to retire July 25, he announced last week.
“I think it’s time for me to pass command and allow a new chief to lead this outstanding Fire Department,” Edwards said at a strategic planning meeting of the Stockton City Council last week.
The 25-year veteran of the department started as a firefighter-paramedic in 2000. He served at every level with the agency before being named chief five years ago.
Among his “proudest accomplishments,” Edwards noted the reopening of Fire Station 1, improving the health and wellness of the city’s 210 firefighters and command staff and the recent acquisition of a new ladder truck, Truck 7.
During his tenure, however, Edwards said he also has endured “some of the greatest heartache and unimaginable grief,” citing when Fire Capt. Vidal “Max” Fortuna was shot and killed while he and his crew responded to a Dumpster fire in 2022.
Edwards’ LinkedIn account shows he attended Sierra College and earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Waldorf University, based in Forest City, Iowa. He has also been an instructor at Sierra College.
In his presentation, Edwards said the department averaged 166 calls for service per day last year. Much of their work has involved unhoused individuals, Edwards said; about 65% of the 911 calls for fire suppression involve the homeless, as do 13% of overall calls.
“I’m proud and honored to have had the opportunity to serve this amazing community and live out my childhood dream of being a fireman,” he said.