Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass on Friday announced that she has appointed LAFD Deputy Chief of Operations Valley Bureau Jaime Moore to serve as the next Fire Chief of the Los Angeles Fire Department, replacing Interim Chief Ronnie Villanueva.
As Valley Chief, Moore leads more than 1,000 firefighters and civilian personnel across 39 stations. He has been an LAFD firefighter for over 30 years and has held executive leadership and operations roles in wildland fires, including the Hurst Fire, Kenneth Fire, Archer Fire, and 2018 Getty Fire. He also led the department’s Arson and Counterterrorism Section, where he investigated complex cases.
“Jaime Moore is a proven and admired firefighter and executive who will urgently advance an agenda of reform to better prepare L.A. for major emergencies and upcoming world events and to improve responses to 911 calls citywide,” said Bass.”
“I am humbled by the trust that Mayor Bass is placing in me with this appointment,” said Moore. “I love this city – it’s my hometown, and my fellow firefighters are my family. I will always do everything I can to protect L.A. and our firefighters.”
Mayor Bass and Chief Moore will pursue the following priorities:
- Preparation for major disasters, including pre-deployment and staffing.
- Preparation for coming world events (FIFA World Cup 2026, 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games).
- Improving morale and a culture within the department.
- Ensuring the department is equipped with essential resources, staffing and support.
- Increasing innovation, adoption of technology and use of data.
Under Bass’s direction and Villanueva’s leadership, LAFD has implemented important changes, including strengthening interagency coordination, upgrading communications technology, enhancing wildfire training and evacuation drills, and improving pre-deployment protocols.
Moore’s responsibilities in his new role will include reviewing and implementing appropriate recommendations from the After-Action Review Report on the January wildfires.
Moore is credited with professionalizing FireStat LA, the department’s data—and performance-based management system for citywide fire and emergency management services operations. In 2023, the Federal Emergency Management Agency recognized Moore with the US Fire Administration Outstanding Research Award.
Moore was raised in Los Angeles; his son is an LAFD firefighter. If confirmed by the L.A. City Council, he will be the second Latino Chief to lead the department and the first Spanish-speaking Fire Chief.
Bass also recognized Villanueva for his service and leadership to the people of Los Angeles over the past nine months.
“When our fire department and city were facing turmoil amidst one of the worst natural disasters in L.A.’s history, Chief Ronnie Villanueva answered the call — not because he had to, but because he cared about this city and the people we serve. After more than 40 years of giving his life to this work, he came out of retirement to serve again,” said Bass. “That tells you everything you need to know about the kind of man he is. I am eternally grateful to Chief Villanueva for what he’s given to our city.
