Fire Chief Mike Duran III, a native of Phoenix, joined the Phoenix Fire Department in 1994. Prior to his promotion to Fire Chief he was assigned to Executive Staff where he served as the Assistant Chief over the Medical Support Services Division. This Division consists of the Medical Director, online Medical Control, EMT and Paramedic Continuing Education, accredited Paramedic training, Crisis Response, Community Integrated Health programs, Logistics and Resource Management, which include Supply, Fleet and Facilities .
Prior to becoming a command officer, Chief Duran spent the first 20 years of his career as a Firefighter, Engineer and Captain. He has held certifications as a Paramedic and Hazardous Materials Technician.
In 2010, he was assigned to the Homeland Defense Bureau as one of the lead planners where he worked jointly with the members of the City of Phoenix Office of Emergency Management, Phoenix Police Department and Maricopa County Public Health. He was part of the Terrorism Liaison Officer (TLO) Program and a member of the All Hazards Incident Management Team (AHIMT) which oversaw the planning for large-scale citywide events such as SB1070 protests, Occupy Phoenix, Shut Down the ALEC Conference, National Socialist Movement (NSM) March, Vigilant Guard (multi-agency large scale training event) and Major League Baseball (MLB) All Star Week. He was deployed to New York's Emergency Operations Center (EOC) during Hurricanes Irene and Sandy to manage the Logistical Staging Areas. He was also part of the Phoenix IMT to support the Planning Section for the Yarnell 19 Memorial Service and subsequent funerals. As a Captain and Division Chief, he facilitated the regional Public Safety planning efforts for Super Bowl XLIX and the 2016 College Football Playoff.
In 2016, he was reassigned to the Fire Facilities Management where he oversaw a $3.9 million-dollar budget and the Department's 78 facilities and fire stations. In March of 2018, he was promoted to Deputy Chief and was assigned to the Operations Division as Commander for the Central District.
Mike is a member of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) AZ Task Force-1 and was deployed to Hurricane's Harvey and Irma in 2017 and Hurricane Florence in 2018 as a Plans Manager.
Mike is married to his wife Tina and they have 3 children.
Executive Assistant Chief Scott Walker
A resident of Phoenix, Arizona for over 40 years, Chief Scott Walker joined the Phoenix Fire Department in 1994. He is currently assigned to the Executive Staff Offices where he serves as the Executive Assistant Fire Chief of the Phoenix Fire Department. In this role, Chief Walker assists Fire Chief Kalkbrenner in management of the day-to-day operations of the Department, and works to ensure that the Fire Chief’s vision and goals for the Department and our Community are being accomplished. Additionally, Chief Walker assists the Fire Chief with Strategic Planning and the management of the Department’s $380 million-dollar budget.
As a Command Officer, Chief Walker has managed several sections within the Department including, a Fire Battalion in the Operations Division, Fire Prevention, Fire Technical Services, Regional 911, Homeland Defense Bureau, Fire Investigations, Health and Wellness, and Fleet Services.
Prior to becoming a Command Officer, Chief Walker worked in several roles within the Operations Division that included: Firefighter, Engineer, Captain, and Public Information Officer. As a member of the Phoenix Fire Department’s Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team, AZ Task Force-1, he was deployed to hurricanes Harvey and Irma in 2017. Chief Walker is also part of the City of Phoenix All Hazards Incident Management Team (AHIMT). As a member of this team, he has been involved in the management and coordination of multiple, regional large-scale events that include a Major-League Baseball All Star Game, Super bowl XLIX, College Football Playoff games, and a deployment to Northern California in 2015 to assist with the management of wildfires.
Chief Walker currently holds an Associate’s
Degree in Fire Science from Phoenix College, a Bachelor of Science Degree in
Public Safety and Emergency Management from Grand Canyon University, and has
completed the Executive Leaders program at the Naval Postgraduate School.
Assistant Chief Jeff Schripsema
A resident of Phoenix for over 40 years, Assistant Chief Jeff Schripsema joined the Phoenix Fire Department in 1991. He is currently assigned to the Executive Staff, where he oversees the Technology and Dispatch and Deployment Divisions which is compromised of the Regional Dispatch Center and Technical Services.
As a Command Officer, Jeff has managed several sections within the Fire Department, including Technical Services, Special Operations, and developed the Safety and Prevention Section for the department.
Prior to becoming a Command Officer, Jeff worked in several roles within the Operations Division that included: Firefighter, Paramedic, and Captain. Jeff holds certifications as a Hazardous Material Technician and Technical Rescue Technician. As a member of the Phoenix Fire Departments Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team, AZ Task Force 1, he has been deployed 7 times to disasters around the nation, including Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Jeff is also a part of the City of Phoenix All-Hazards Incident Management Team (AHIMT). As a member of this team, he has been involved in the management and coordination of multiple, regional large-scale events that include Superbowl XLIX and LVII. He has been deployed with this team to Northern California in 2008 and 2015 to assist with management of several large-scale wildfires, as well as to New York City for Hurricane Sandy in 2012.
Jeff holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Safety and Emergency Management from Grand Canyon University.
Assistant Chief Tim Kreis
Tim Kreis began his career with the Phoenix Fire Department in 2002. He is currently assigned to the Executive Staff, serving as the Assistant Fire Chief of the Community Risk Reduction Division. The Community Risk Reduction Division includes the Office of Emergency Management, Community Risk Education Section, Homeland Defense Bureau, Fire Investigations Task Force, Wildland Urban Interface Program, and Fire Prevention Section.
Tim has worked in every operational capacity as a Firefighter, Engineer, and Fire Captain before being promoted to Command Officer. Tim has participated in managing various large-scale planned events in the City of Phoenix. His experience includes serving as the Incident Commander for the All Hazards Incident Management Team and administering events in Phoenix associated with Super Bowl LVII. Tim is the Chairman of the Arizona Counter Terrorism Information Center Executive Board and the Co-Chair of the Arizona Statewide Mutual Aid Committee.
Tim has served as an adjunct faculty member for the Fire Science programs at Phoenix College and Paradise Valley Community College. He has also served as an instructor and speaker at various national conferences, which include the Fire Department Instructor Conference, Firehouse World Conference, and Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Conference. Tim has been a member of the International Fire Service Training Association since 2007.
Tim currently holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Fire Administration and a Master of Arts degree in Organizational Leadership. Tim was awarded a certificate of completion for the Leadership and Character in Uncertain Times Program, John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, Executive Education.
Tim is a native Phoenician who has lived in the City of Phoenix all his life. Tim and his wife have two children and currently reside in north Phoenix.
Assistant Chief Mark Gonzales
Mark Gonzales began his career with the Phoenix Fire Department in 1996. He is currently assigned to the Executive Staff, where he oversees North Operations, Department Training, and Special Operations.
As a Command Officer, Mark has managed several sections within the Fire Department, including Fleet, Member Services, Resource Management, Training, Health and Wellness, Public Affairs and Community Involvement, Fire Investigations Task Force, and the Homeland Defense Bureau.
Mark has worked in every operational capacity as a Firefighter, Engineer, and Captain before promoting to a Command Officer in 2016. As a Captain, Mark served the members of L493 as a Trustee and Shift Rep and again as the Secretary of the Professional Fire Chiefs Association (PFCOA) after promoting to Batallion Chief. He is an active Peer Support member for the Phoenix Fire Department and Master Instructor for the IAFF Peer Support Program.
Mark Is a native of Phoenix and is a second-generation firefighter with two brothers on the job. Mark and his wife have seven children and reside in North Central Phoenix.
Mark holds a Bachelor of Science in Homeland Security and Emergency Management from Grand Canyon University.
Assistant Chief Tim Gammage Sr.
Phoenix Fire Department Assistant Chief Timothy Gammage Sr. manages Emergency Medical Services (EMS), the Community Assistance Program (CAP), and Diversity, Equality, & Inclusiveness/ADA Program. A Native of Phoenix, Arizona, he joined the Phoenix Fire Department in 1991. Tim spent most of his time in Fire Operations as a Firefighter, Paramedic, and Captain before being promoting to a Command Officer. As a Command Officer he has enjoyed his time as a Battalion Chief of Operations, Division Chief of the Training Academy, Division Chief/Acting Deputy Chief of Fire Personnel, and South District Commander of Operations before being promoted to his current role as an Assistant Chief.
Tim currently holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Emergency Management from Northern Arizona University. He has completed several fire service management programs with certificates of completion such as an Certified Public Manager Certificate from Arizona State University, and a certificate from The Carl Holmes Executive Development Institute at Dillard University. Tim is also very proud of his career long engagement in Mentorship in the area of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion within the Fire Services.
Tim and his wife Trudy live in South Phoenix and are the proud parents of 3 sons Timothy II, Trumaine, and Travis, and proud grandparents of their eight grandchildren.
Assistant Chief Ray OchoaChief Ray Ochoa is a native of Phoenix, Arizona. He began his career with the Phoenix Fire Department in 2001 and is currently assigned to the Executive Staff as the Assistant Chief of Medical Services and Technical Services. Medical Services also encompasses the Community Assistance Program.
Before becoming a Command Officer, Chief Ochoa spent 17 years of his career as a firefighter, captain, Threat Liaison Officer (TLO), and holding the certifications of a paramedic, hazardous materials technician, and technical rescue technician. Chief Ochoa is also a member of the Phoenix Fire Department's Urban Search and Rescue team, Arizona Task Force-1, and was deployed for Hurricane Dorian in 2019.
As a Command Officer, Ray has worked in Operations as Battalion Chief, moving on to manage the Homeland Defense Bureau. In 2020, he was promoted to Deputy Chief and assigned to the Medical Services Division.
Ray is married to his wife Tamala and has one child.
Assistant City Attorney Rebecca Salisbury Rebecca Salisbury joined the Fire Department as its Assistant City Attorney beginning Monday, October 31, 2022. She was previously with the Arizona Attorney General’s Office Civil Litigation Division for 11 years, and the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office for five years.
Rebecca also serves in the Air Force Reserves as an Assistant Staff Judge Advocate for the United States Space Command in Colorado Springs, CO, and began her legal career as an active duty Air Force JAG. Rebecca earned her undergraduate degree at the University of Connecticut and her law degree from Boston College Law School.
She lives in Litchfield Park, AZ with her husband David and two sons Teddy and Quentin.
Nick Petrucci is a native Phoenician. He joined the Phoenix Fire Department on April 9, 1979, realizing a childhood dream.
His is a family of career Firefighters; a brother Joe, a nephew, and his two sons. Firefighting was his love from 1979‐2013. Nick's career took me from being a firefighter, engineer, a member of the Haz‐Mat team, to accepting a position on the Command Van at South Deputy, which allowed him the opportunity to develop relationships with on and off duty personnel.
His desire in this position was toprovide a "listening ear." He finished his last year on the job working with the Local 493 and Fire Administrationassisting in Member Services. Along with the many duties of a firefighter/engineer, came the mental and emotional stress of dealing with tragic calls throughout his career.
Many times while in Member Services, Nick was called to provide emotional support to those in the hospital, at home recovering from an illness or support because of the death of a loved one. He had the opportunity to continue in the Fire Service by being a Chaplain for the Surprise Fire and Medical Department.
Thirty‐five years of experience in one of the busiest departments in the country prepared him to understand the emotional stress and demands that affect not only the firefighter, but their family as well. His strong faith and relationship with God has prepared him to be approachable, confidential, compassionate, empathetic, and nonjudgmental.
Chaplains are a tool that have many resources. Being able to direct those in need to the correct resource, i.e., a listening ear, a healthcare professional or to the
benefits the Department offers is one of the greatest rewards of the Chaplaincy.
