Fire Chief Dave Winnacker retires this month, after leading the Moraga-Orinda Fire District for seven years. He was recently selected for promotion to brigadier general in the Marine Corps Reserve.
What’s a history major doing running a Fire District? Everyone concurs that Moraga-Orinda Fire District (MOFD) was fortunate to hire Dave Winnacker as its fire chief in 2017.
After graduating from University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), Winnacker followed his grandfather’s footsteps and joined the United States Marines as an infantry officer. Seven years later – which included serving in the Iraq War – he decided to start a new career and became a firefighter, first in Fresno and then in Newark.
He then joined the Alameda County Fire Department and, in seven years, rose through the ranks to become Division Chief of Special Operations.
“We were lucky to get him,” said Steve Danziger, MOFD board director who has lived in Orinda for nearly three decades. “Chief Winnacker is knowledgeable, articulate and has been a great ambassador to the community.”
He credits Winnacker in helping to change the attitude of residents toward wildfire prevention and emergency prparedness.
Seven years after taking the role as fire chief, Winnacker decided it was time for his next career move. He also serves as a colonel in the Marine Forces Reserves and will continue to serve as assistant chief of staff/inspector general at the headquarters group.
Winnacker is a firm believer in “those who do not learn from history, are doomed to repeat it” philosophy. He can tell you about all the fires that have happened around Orinda in the past and what we have to do to prevent future wildfires.
“Orinda and Moraga have been very fortunate to have Chief Winnacker,” said Mayor Darlene Gee. “He is very knowledgeable about fire science, fire safety and prevention, and has been an incredible leader in raising awareness throughout the community.”
Born in Japan, Winnacker has been a high-performing athlete throughout his life. He was twice named an All-American lacrosse player during his days at UCSB and is in the UCSB Lacrosse Hall of Fame. He has run triathlons and is still an enthusiastic cyclist and enjoys water sports.
MOFD Board President, Mike Roemer, has always appreciated Winnacker’s resourceful practices.
“Dave reaches out across the country for experts and now he, too, is admired as an expert in the fire safety profession,” said Roemer.
The MOFD Board announced that Fire Marshall Jeff Isaacs will be the interim fire chief.
“Jeff has been a valuable member of the community,” added Mayor Gee. “He has big shoes to fill, but he definitely shows promise.”
Winnacker said he is grateful for the opportunity to have led MOFD and the support he received from the leadership of MOFD, the Town of Moraga and the City of Orinda. He is also grateful for the professionals in the fire department and all the volunteers who help MOFD run smoothly and effectively.
“We could not have achieved what we did in the past seven years without the support I received,” he said. “Now it is time for me to explore how to scale some of my ideas and continue to drive change and make a difference.”
Winnacker will step down from his role as the California State Director of the Western Fire Chiefs Association, but will continue his role as Veteran Fellow of The Hoover Institute, headed by Condoleezza Rice, in addition to his Marine Forces Reserves role.
He is looking forward to the next phase of his professional life and to spending quality time with his wife – his college sweetheart – and two daughters.
Winnacker also recently received notice that he was promoted to brigadier general in the Marine Corps Reserve.
