Email: ctubbs@smfd.org
Phone: (415) 388-8182

Chief Chris Tubbs is a seasoned fire service executive with more than four decades of experience leading emergency service organizations at the local, regional, and state levels. Currently serving as the Fire Chief of the Southern Marin Fire Protection District, he has led major initiatives including interagency annexations, wildfire risk mitigation efforts, strategic planning, master planning, and critical infrastructure projects.

A past President of the California Fire Chiefs Association and former member of the FIRESCOPE Board of Directors, Chief Tubbs brings extensive experience in governance, legislative advocacy, and operational policy. He is also a graduate of the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer Program and holds advanced degrees and executive certificates from Harvard, MIT, Cornell, and the Naval Postgraduate School.

Respected for his visionary leadership, collaborative spirit, and commitment to mentorship, Chief Tubbs continues to shape the future of the fire service through active engagement in professional associations, national working groups, and leadership development programs.

Education

• Executive Certificate - Artificial Intelligence; Implications for Business Strategy, MIT Sloan School of Management.
• Executive Certificate - Executive Presence and Influence, Wharton Executive Education.
• Executive Certificate in (DEI) - Building a Diverse Workforce, by Cornell University. 
• Executive Certificates in Public Leadership and Public Policy, Harvard Kennedy School.
• Senior Executives in State & Local Government Program, Harvard Kennedy School.
• Master’s Degree, National Security Studies, HDS Naval Post-Graduate School
• Master’s Degree, Presidents List. Leadership: Emphasis in Disaster Preparedness and Executive Fire Leadership, Grand Canyon University.
• Bachelor’s Degree, magna cum laude, Fire Service Leadership, Western Oregon University
• Associate of Arts, Fire Service Administration, Bellevue Community College

Certifications

Over the course of his career, Chief Tubbs has earned multiple certifications and accreditations but most applicable to his role as a Fire Chief:

• CFC – Accredited California Fire Chief Certification, Office of the State Fire Marshal
• EFO - Executive Fire Officer, National Fire Academy
• CFO – Accredited Chief Fire Officer, Center for Public Safety Excellence
• MIFireE – Member of Institution for Fire Engineers
• NIMS - National Incident Management System, ICS Courses: 100, 200, 300, 400, 700, 800.
• ISO - Incident Safety Officer, National Fire Academy
• Task Force Safety Officer – Department of Homeland Security / National Urban Search & Rescue Response System.

Professional Memberships and Affiliations

• IAFC - International Association of Fire Chiefs
• CalChiefs – California Fire Chiefs Association
• FDAC - Fire Districts Association of California
• MCFCA – Marin County Fire Chiefs Association
• IFE - International Fire Engineers
• NFPA - National Fire Protection Association

Committees

• CalChiefs – Technology Section Chair
• Fire Districts Association of California - Area 1 Director / Executive Board
• Cal OES Homeland Security Advisory Committee - Committee Member Representing CalChiefs.
• Marin County Fire Chiefs Association – has served as President, Vice-President and Treasurer.
• NFPA– Principal, National Fire Protection Association – 950 & 951 Committees.
• GGSC– Golden Gate Security Coalition

Past Committees

• CalChiefs –Immediate Past President / Executive Board
• Fire Districts Association of California - Director at Large / Executive Board
• FireScope -Board of Directors CalChiefs Representative
• NISC- Board of Directors & Treasurer, National Information Sharing Consortium. (past).
• HSIN– Department of Homeland Security’s Homeland Security Information Network Advisory Committee (past)
• IMISC– Department of Homeland Security Incident Management Information Sharing Committee (past).
• VSMWGESDM– Department of Homeland Security Virtual Social Media Working Group for Emergency Services and Disaster Management. (past).

Learn More

What do you enjoy most about leading your department?
Serving others is what drew me into the fire service. I derive great value from knowing that I am helping others. In the beginning of my career I served others by responding to their emergent and non-emergent needs and seeing the impact of those interventions - it was exceedingly rewarding. Now as a Fire Chief I serve those that serve, and I serve the community in a different way. Our agency is located in one of the most beautiful areas of California, but the beauty also betrays that there are some dangerous areas in our District. Working to manage these risks for our community and our firefighters is a very rewarding experience and I work for a highly dedicated Board of Directors who support the community, agency and the work I do for the District. They are an amazing group of people.

What do you enjoy most about working for the Southern Marin Fire District?
I love working with other people who derive their own personal value from serving others. I enjoy getting to work with other Fire Chiefs, local government officials, and with community members who are dedicated to serving the community and managing the variety of risks we have. These partnerships lead to excellent service for our community and I find that extremely rewarding.