Paul Truffa is a highly accomplished fire service professional with a lifelong passion for helping others. He discovered his calling to become a firefighter at 16 and took an Emergency Medical Technician course in high school. He then became a Fire Explorer with Orange County Fire Authority, where he honed his skills and passion for public service.
Paul's career in the fire service began in earnest when he graduated from Palomar Community College's Fire/Paramedic Academy in 2003. He obtained his Paramedic License by age 20 and quickly gained experience as a practicing Paramedic in various counties in California, including Orange, San Diego, and Los Angeles. His skills and expertise caught the attention of the Rialto Fire Department, where he was hired as a full-time Firefighter/Paramedic in 2004. Since joining the Rialto Fire Department, Paul has worked as a Firefighter/Paramedic, Engineer (2013), Captain (2016), Battalion Chief (2020), and now Division Chief (2022).
In addition to his practical experience, Paul has invested in his academic development. He holds an Associate of Science degree in Fire Science from Mt. San Jacinto Community College, a Bachelor of Science degree in Fire and Emergency Management from Purdue Global University, and a Master of Science degree in Public Safety Leadership and Administration from Arizona State University. He is also a certified Hazardous Materials Incident Commander and a Certified Chief Officer.