County emergency services manager retires
Ron Alsop.
–The County of San Luis Obispo will soon bid farewell to its longtime Office of Emergency Services manager, Ron Alsop, who will retire on Friday, Dec. 28, after 28 years of service to the county.
“We have been extremely fortunate and benefitted tremendously from Ron’s vast expertise as one of the top emergency managers in the state,” said Assistant County Administrative Officer Guy Savage. “We thank Ron for his many years of service and wish him well in his retirement.”
Earlier this month, the County Board of Supervisors recognized and commended Alsop for his 28 years of service to the County and 41 years to the community. Alsop is well known as one of the longest-serving and top emergency managers in California. During his career, he has served in many statewide capacities and as the chairman of the California Operational Area Coalition, which is a coalition of the 58 county emergency managers throughout the State of California.
Alsop was hired as an Emergency Services Coordinator with the Office of Emergency Services (OES) in Oct. 1990 and was promoted to the working title of Emergency Services Manager in 2007. Prior to joining the County as a full-time employee, Alsop worked for Cal Fire/County Fire as a seasonal firefighter, paid-call firefighter, and in fire prevention for 13 years. Combined, he has provided a total of 41 years of outstanding service to residents and visitors of San Luis Obispo County.
Alsop has aided planning and served as key responder to many emergencies and disasters, both locally and statewide, including the 1994 Northridge earthquake, numerous large fires, winter storms, hazardous material incidents and other disasters. His efforts included leading the County and other local jurisdictions through the challenging initial recovery efforts after the 2003 San Simeon Earthquake.
“It has sincerely been an honor to serve,” Alsop said. Experienced emergency manager Joseph “Joe” Guzzardi will fill the role effective Monday, Jan. 7.
