The Vincent Thomas Bridge reaching Terminal Island

South Bureau Commander

Ronnie-Villanueva-LAFD
Deputy Chief Ronnie R. Villanueva

On February 4, 2018, Ronnie R. Villanueva (“Ronnie V.”) was appointed to the position of Deputy Chief, Operations South Bureau of the Los Angeles City Fire Department (LAFD). Ronnie started his career with the LAFD on March 13, 1983. For the last four years of his 39 years of service with the LAFD, Chief Villanueva has been assigned as the South Bureau Commander, which encompasses the Harbor area, South Los Angeles, Mid-City, and Century City. He is responsible for 26 fire stations, over 800 sworn personnel, and civilian staff. His assignments have included management of one of the four geographic emergency operations bureaus, Assistant Fire Marshal, Chief of Staff to the Fire Chief, Harbor Homeland Security Commander, Community Liaison Commander (senior Department spokesperson), Division Commander, Battalion Commander, Station and Company Commander, and as with all members, firefighter.

Throughout his career, Ronnie has worked in every section of the 471 square miles of the City of Los Angeles and has been involved in some of the most significant incidents in Los Angeles history, including, but not limited to, the Northridge earthquake, the Civil Disturbance following the Rodney King verdicts, the First Interstate Bank High Rise fire, the Metrolink Disaster in Chatsworth, multiple wildfires, as well as the Los Angeles Harbor wharf fire in 2014.

As a dedicated life-long learner, Ronnie earned his BS degree in Occupational Studies: Vocational Arts from California State University, Long Beach in 2004 and an AA degree in Liberal Arts from Los Angeles Harbor College, 1980. And is currently attending the University of Southern California pursuing a Master’s degree in the Executive Master of Leadership program. He has received specialized training/certifications, such as: Leadership in Crises Course, Harvard Kennedy School, Boston, MA; Graduated from the Los Angeles Fire Department Leadership Academy; Enhanced Incident Management and Unified Command course Phase I & II; and, National Rescue & Response Training Center, College Station, TX. In addition to his education and training, Ronnie has received Awards of Appreciation from Chile, Mexico and Germany for sharing department information and safe practices to improve operational needs in each country. Ronnie has demonstrated commitment to community service through his continued involvement with the San Pedro Chamber of Commerce Quality of Life committee and MySafe:LA, a 501c3 which provides fire safety canvassing after significant incidents, fire prevention and education in schools.

In his time off, Ronnie enjoys spending quality time with his family, vacationing, exercising, reading, yoga and golf.

Communities

  • Baldwin Hills
  • Beverlywood
  • Carthay
  • Crenshaw
  • Leimert Park
  • Exposition Park
  • Faircrest Heights
  • Hyde Park
  • Mid-City
  • Miracle Mile
  • Palms
  • Rancho Park
  • Cheviot Hills
  • Harbor City
  • Harbor Gateway
  • San Pedro
  • Wilmington
  • Watts
  • The Port of Los Angeles

 

HEADQUARTERS
San Pedro City Hall
638 S. Beacon St.
San Pedro, CA 90731
310-732-4515

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