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A MESSAGE FROM
THE FIRE CHIEF

Dear Community Members,

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I hope you are all safe and in good health. The strategic plan that is laid out in front of you has taken many hours and the efforts of the wonderful men and women that make up Cathedral City Fire & EMS. This strategic plan outlines the long-term plan that will shape the future of our fire department. As Fire Chief, I am honored to present our updated values that drive the seven grounding principles, guiding our journey towards excellence in service, professionalism, community engagement, and operational effectiveness.

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At the core of our department’s values lie:


Integrity, Diversity, Excellence, Accountability, and Leadership

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These five values will serve as our compass, driving us towards achieving the goals outlined in our strategic plan.

Our 7 grounding principles are listed below; these will keep us on the right path as we drive to attain our goals.

  1. Customer Service: We are committed to providing the highest level of service to our community members. Your safety and well-being are our top priorities, and we are dedicated to meeting your needs with utmost care and professionalism.

  2. Professional Development: We recognize the importance of continuous learning and growth. By investing in our firefighters’ development, we ensure that our team remains at the forefront of firefighting techniques, emergency response protocols, and the latest technological advancements.

  3. Community Engagement: We believe in fostering strong relationships with our community members, through open communication, educational programs, and outreach initiatives, we strive to create a sense of safety, trust, and partnership within our neighborhoods.

  4. Leadership Development: Effective leadership is vital to the success of our department. We are committed to developing capable and compassionate leaders who will inspire and guide our firefighters, ensuring a cohesive and motivated team.

  5. Operational Effectiveness: We continuously evaluate and improve our operational procedures to optimize our response times, enhance emergency management, and ensure the safety of both our firefighters and the community we serve.

  6. Health, Wellness, and Safety: also prioritizing the health, wellness, and safety of our firefighters.

  7. Fiscal Responsibility: We understand the importance of responsible financial management. By

    maintaining fiscal responsibility, we can allocate resources where they are needed most.

As you continue to read through this strategic plan you will see there are many goals that seem lofty and will take considerable time to obtain but I believe that they are attainable and that the citizens of Cathedral City deserve this level of commitment.

I would like to express my gratitude to each one of you for taking the time to review our strategic plan. It is your support and trust that fuels our determination to provide exceptional fire services to our community. Together, we can build a safer and more resilient future.

Together we can make the community and the fire department a better, safer place for all to live.

Please feel free to reach out to us with any questions, suggestions, or concerns. We value your feedback and look forward to working closely with you.

Stay safe and take care. Sincerely,

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- Michael A. Contreras, Fire Chief
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