MARIO D. RUEDA is a deputy chief in the Los Angeles, CA, Fire Department and commander of the Emergency Service Bureau. He has served the department for over 30 years and has been a chief officer since 1993. Rueda has chaired several boards and participated on numerous state and national committees, including California’s FIRESCOPE Operations Team, Los Angeles Area Operations Chiefs, Area Maritime Security Committee, National Fire Protection Association, Airport Security Advisory Committee Executive Board and Surface Transportation Security Committee Executive Board. He has a bachelor of science degree in fire protection administration from California State University, Los Angeles and is an adjunct professor at Los Angeles Harbor College.