VALLEJO – Vallejo city officials announced the appointment of former Vacaville fire Chief Frank Drayton as interim Vallejo fire chief on Monday and the veteran fire department leader began serving in the role that same day.
Interim police Chief Jason Ta had been directing both departments since April 4 in the absence of Vallejo fire Chief Kyle Long, who went on leave in April without explanation.
Vallejo spokesperson Christina Lee declined to comment on whether the city is currently searching for a new permanent fire chief or if they expect Long to return.
Drayton has over 30 years of experience in fire protection services. He recently served as deputy chief for the San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District. From 2011 to 2015 he was chief of the Vacaville Fire Department, where he had served as a division chief since 2007.
Drayton also served in the military for over 20 years. He was fire chief for 349th Air Mobility Wing Reserve at Travis Air Force Base and he served as a firefighter in the U.S. Navy. He began his career as a volunteer firefighter in Dixon and returned to the Dixon department after his Navy service. He left Dixon as interim chief to take the deputy chief position with Vacaville in 2007.
He retired from the Vacaville department in 2015 but continued as interim chief while the department searched for his replacement. In 2017 he took up the deputy chief role in San Ramon and retired from that position in 2023.
Drayton has a master’s degree in Emergency Services Administration from California State University Long Beach, according to a city of Vallejo press release.
Vallejo’s recently appointed city manager, Andrew Murray, welcomed the new chief in a statement, praising his service record.
"With Chief Drayton's extensive experience and proven leadership in fire services, he is an ideal choice for Interim Fire Chief,” Murray said. “I am confident that under his guidance, the Vallejo Fire Department will continue to deliver excellent service and ensure the safety and well-being of our community."
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