City of Salinas announces new Interim Fire Chief

SALINAS, Calif. (KION) The City of Salinas announced Thursday that Deputy Fire Chief Michele Vaughn will serve as the Interim Fire Chief.

Chief Pablo Barreto recently announced his retirement.

According to the City, Vaughn has risen through the ranks of the Salinas Fire Department since May 2000 when she was a firefighter. She was promoted to Fire Engineer in 2003, Fire Captain in 2007, Battalion Chief in 2017 and Deputy Fire Chief in 2020.

Vaughn has worked at every fire station in Salinas, according to the City, and has served as a board member and Treasurer for the training section of the California Fire Chiefs Association. The City said Vaughn is a member of the Women in the Fire Service and has been in FEMA's California Task Force 4 as an Urban Search and Rescue K-9 handler.

"I am glad that we found a current member of Salinas' Fire management team to lead the Fire Department in providing vital services to our community, while the City conducts our regular search process for a permanent replacement," said City Manager Ray Corpuz.  We look forward to Chief Vaughn's leadership during this time."

Corpuz chose Vaughn to serve as the Interim Fire Chief.