Cherie Rita joined the department in 1982, and has promoted through the ranks to Fire Chief in 1994.

Chief Rita served as the Region IV Operational Area Coordinator from 2004 to 2012. She is a past President and Zone 2 Director of the Fire Districts of California.  The Chief was also involved in curriculum development of the California Community College Public Safety, Ethics and Leadership programs that are still in use today.

Chief Rita retired as a fulltime Paralegal in 2022. She continues to offer part-time assistance to the law firm, providing administrative support for the attorney.

Chief Rita has a Masters in Business Administration with an emphasis on Public Administration and her Executive Fire Officer certification from the National Fire Academy. She also has  Bachelors in Business Management - Managing Information Systems. Chief Rita was an Emergency Medical Technician and a Notary Public.