City Manager to Appoint Brian Jones as Fire Chief

City Manager to Appoint Brian Jones as Fire ChiefMountain View native and current deputy fire chief to become fire chief following the retirement of Fire Chief Juan Diaz in late DecemberPost Date:10/16/2025 9:21 a.m. Mountain View, Calif. - City Manager Kimbra McCarthy announced today the appointment of Deputy Fire Chief Brian Jones as fire chief of the City of Mountain View Fire Department. With 32 years of experience in the fire service, Jones will serve as Mountain View's 20th fire chief due to the retirement of Chief Juan F. Diaz in December. Jones will begin his new position on Dec. 31, 2025. "I am proud to announce the appointment of Brian Jones as our next fire chief," said McCarthy. "We are very fortunate to have our next fire chief be someone who knows Mountain View from birth and has been a part of this best-in-class fire department for nearly a decade. Brian is a dedicated, accomplished, and collaborative fire professional whose expertise and strategic thinking will serve our residents and businesses well. He exemplifies integrity and professionalism in every aspect of his leadership and is fully committed to ensuring the safety of our Mountain View community." In May 2016, Jones joined MVFD as deputy fire chief after nearly 20 years with the City of Stockton Fire Department, where he served as battalion chief. "It is a privilege and an honor to be named as the next fire chief for the City of Mountain View, the city where I was born and attended high school," said Jones. "I am passionate about the fire service, and I am so excited to lead this great fire department that provides such exceptional service to the community across all its divisions: Emergency Operations, Fire and Environmental Protection, Office of Emergency Services, and Administration. I look forward to building meaningful connections with the community as fire chief and working collaboratively to serve the evolving needs of Mountain View." Jones is a certified Chief Officer and Executive Chief Officer under the State of California Fire Marshal's Office, and he continues to maintain his paramedic license. Jones also serves as one of the incident commanders and the team manager of the South Bay Incident Management Team, a type 3 incident management team tasked with managing large-scale incidents and disasters in the Bay Area, a role he has held since 2017. Jones knew from a very early age that he wanted to become a firefighter and began taking fire technology and emergency medical services classes at Mission College while still attending Saint Francis High School in Mountain View. He joined the Columbia College Fire Department in Sonora, California, in September 1993. At Columbia College, Jones completed his Associate of Science Degree in Fire Technology while rising through the ranks of firefighter, fire engineer, and crew leader at the fire station on campus. In 1996, Brian joined the City of Rocklin as an apprentice firefighter and joined the City of Stockton Fire Department the following year. Jones holds an associate's degree in Fire Technology, a bachelor's degree in Fire Management, and a master's degree in Leadership with an Emphasis in Homeland Security and Emergency Management. Jones is supported by his wife, Wendy, and their four children. For more information about Chief Diaz's retirement announcement, view the City's news release. Photo of incoming Fire Chief Brian Jones Editor's Note: Availability for media interviews in person or via Zoom for both Chief Diaz and Incoming Chief Jones is between 11:00 a.m.-2 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 16. Contact Fire Department PIO Robert Maitland at 650-903-6825 or [email protected] to schedule a time. About the City of Mountain View Located between the Santa Cruz Mountains and San Francisco Bay, Mountain View is a diverse community with an estimated population of 86,513. Mountain View covers just over 12 square miles, featuring over 1,000 acres of park and wildlife areas including the 750-acre wildlife and recreation area called Shoreline at Mountain View. In the heart of Silicon Valley, Mountain View is home to a vibrant downtown and headquarters to many nationally and internationally known corporations including Google, Intuit and NASA's Ames Research Center. For more information, visit MountainView.gov.Return to full list >>