Alameda County Coordinator
For the second consecutive year, the California Fire Safe Council has awarded Berkeley Fire Department a grant to establish an Alameda County Coordinator position. The position aims to foster county-wide collaboration and coordination among wildfire mitigation groups, enhancing overall wildfire resilience strategies and community preparedness.
Christopher J. Pinto, proprietor of Wildfire Defense, was selected to be the County Coordinator. He brings over 32 years of distinguished service as a sworn member of the Berkeley Fire Department. His tenure features five years as Director of Training and Emergency Medical Services, and from July 2021 to July 2025, he rejoined the Berkeley Fire Department to help formalize the Wildland Urban Interface Division. Retired Chief Pinto is an accomplished project manager, contributing to vital initiatives such as the Grizzly Peak Project, grant applications for vegetation management, the City's inspection and chipper programs, and Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) development. He served as staff liaison for the Hills Emergency Forum and was instrumental in initiating the Fire Risk Reduction List status process for Berkeley. In addition, he acts as a technical advisor to the Diablo Fire Safe Council—contributing to program development and technical guidance—and works with diverse Alameda County stakeholders, including Claremont Canyon Conservancy, local Firewise Communities, and Fire Safe Councils. Chief Pinto has played key roles in regional evacuation studies and led the Safe Passages project for the City of Berkeley, enhancing community preparedness and interagency coordination. With strong, established relationships with CAL FIRE representatives and a collaborative approach, Chris is committed to ensuring that all of Alameda County is prepared for and supported under new wildfire legislation. He is dedicated to identifying resource needs and strategically guiding agencies and communities to access available resources. Pinto’s proactive efforts foster productive relationships between local fire agencies, Fire Safe Councils, Firewise Communities, and groups historically underrepresented in wildfire mitigation efforts—ensuring holistic, equitable, and effective fire risk reduction across Alameda County.
To help inform the County Coordinator about stakeholder and community needs, please take our survey. For more information, please visit the Alameda County Coordinator website. You may also reach out to alamedacountycoordinator@gmail.com.
-
Can I contact you for more information?
A better future is possible. Please feel free to contact us to learn more about the ACC program.
This program's contact information and listserv are currently housed and supported by the Berkeley Fire Department and the City of Berkeley.
-
Use this survey to give input for the Alameda County Coordinator position, and to help crucial information on how to improve wildfire mitigation, resiliency, and emergency preparedness efforts county-wide.
By sharing your insights, we are actively building a database of wildfire mitigation groups and informing the future Alameda County Coordinator position and scope.
