Following flooding at Coyote Creek San Jose names new director of Emergency Services

In the wake of the flooding at Coyote Creek, the city of San Jose has named Ray Riordan as director of Emergency Services. Fire Chief Curtis Jacobsen made the announcement of Riordan’s new position with the city earlier this week.

“Our recent experience with the flooding by Coyote Creek is an urgent reminder that we have much to do so that our city organization and the people of our community can be better prepared to handle the immediate and long-term effects of a major emergency,” said Chief Jacobson. “Although many hundreds of city employees have worked incredibly hard over the past two weeks to respond to the needs of our residents in flooded areas, we know we must do better based on the lessons we’re learning now. I’m looking forward to having Ray Riordan’s outstanding experience and leadership on board to help all of us get ready for the next big incident.”

Riordan has an extensive background in both public and private emergency management. His resume includes serving as the emergency manager for the city of San Ramon for nearly eight years; emergency preparedness manager for East Bay Municipal Utility District for more than ten years; and senior emergency planning coordinator for Contra Costa County Office of Emergency Services for seven years.

He has served as the acting executive director for the California Utilities Emergency Association and has chaired the California Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network — a mutual aid and assistance network of over 350 water and wastewater utilities in California – for ten years. He also assisted in forming a national mutual assistance program for water sector utilities.

Riordan has operational experience managing a wide array of emergencies, including earthquakes, floods, wildfires, public health emergencies, blackouts, and potential terrorism incidents. He has worked closely with various entities on hazard mitigation programs and on the planning, exercising and implementation of emergency response plans for a wide array of local incidents and major emergency events throughout the nation.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has recognized Riordan’s work nationally “partners in preparedness” awards from the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM).  IAEM represents more than 5,000 emergency managers nationally. Riordan has also earned outstanding excellence in emergency management accolades from the California Emergency Services Association, which represents more than 600 professional public and private sector emergency managers throughout the state.

“This is a wonderful opportunity to work with one of the nation’s biggest and most innovative cities,” said Riordan. “All emergencies are local, and I look forward to developing the city’s capabilities and capacities to reduce potential damage and harm from the many kinds of emergencies that can occur here. It’s our responsibility to help our residents, businesses, and partners to work together effectively to make San Jose a safer and more resilient community.”

A graduate of Santa Clara University with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s in psychology/industrial organization from San Jose State University, Riordan is a Certified Emergency Manager through IAEM in recognition for meeting high professional standards in the fields of emergency management and disaster recovery. He is also a FEMA-certified trainer for emergency preparedness and response.

“We’re excited that Ray will be joining the city of San Jose team,” said Mayor Sam Liccardo. “He brings a wealth of experience that will help us take our emergency preparation and response efforts to a new level.”

The hiring of Riordan concludes a national recruitment effort by the city. Riordan will begin his new position in San Jose on March 13.