John L Drake II (JD)

Chief Drake oversees all functions and bureaus of the Vancouver Fire Department. Chief Drake is the Chief Fire Administrator and has overall responsibility for all operational and administrative functions of the department.

Divisions include:

• Emergency Operations Division
• Administration Division
• Fire Marshal’s Office Division
• Support Services and Strategic Planning Division

Chief Drake is a retired chief deputy of emergency operations and former acting fire chief for the Los Angeles City Fire Department, bringing over 38 years of progressive public safety leadership to the Vancouver Fire Department. Chief Drake has directed large-scale emergency operations, managed multi-million-dollar budgets, and led more than 3,400 personnel in advancing public safety and emergency services in the second largest city in the United States. A strategic and collaborative leader, Chief Drake has developed and implemented comprehensive strategic plans, performance management systems, and led programs that strengthen operational effectiveness and employee motivation and engagement. Holding a doctorate in policy, planning, and development from the University of Southern California (USC), Chief Drake also serves as an adjunct professor at USC, teaching strategic planning, public sector performance management, organizational behavior, and methods to improve public safety and emergency services at the USC Center on National Defense and Public Safety.