Dennis Brown, CAL FIRE Senior Chief of Aviation, at the HAI conference in Anaheim, California, January 28, 2020. Photo by Bill Gabbert.Dennis Brown, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection’s Senior Chief of Aviation, has worked in wildland fire longer than most people in the agency have been alive. But he is about to move on.
“We’re going to be advertising for a new Senior Chief of Aviation because I will be retiring April 30,” the Chief told Fire Aviation.
“Last fire season was my 50th fire season, so I’m ready to retire and spend some time with my wife,” the Chief said. “It’s a tough decision, you know, I love what I do and I’m proud of our program. We have a great team that’s going to keep it going.”
Chief Brown began his career in wildland fire with the U.S. Forest Service in 1971 and served as Firefighter, working his way up to Regional Aviation Safety Officer for the agency’s California Region (Region 5). In 2009 he started working with CAL FIRE as a pilot and will retire as the Senior Chief of Aviation.
Congratulations Chief Brown.
8 Comments
Congrats on your retirement.
Pilot Retirement Poem
Once the wings go on, they never come off whether they can be seen or not. It fuses to the soul through adversity, fear and adrenaline, and no one who has ever worn them with pride, integrity and guts can ever sleep through the ‘call of the wild’ that wafts through bedroom windows in the deep of the night.
When a good pilot or aircrew leaves the ‘job’ and retires, many are jealous, some are pleased and yet others, who may have already retired, wonder. We wonder if he knows what he is leaving behind, because we already know. We know, for example, that after a lifetime of camaraderie that few experience, it will remain as a longing for those past times. We know in the world of flying, there is a fellowship, which lasts long after the flight suits are hung up in the back of the closet. We know even if he throws them away, they will be on him with every step and breath that remains in his life. We also know how the very bearing of the man speaks of what he was and in his heart still is. Because we flew, we envy no man on earth.
-Author Unknown
I’m just one of the multitude that worked with Dennis during his career. It’s pretty clear that the only reason he’s retiring is that his office walls, desk and probably his den at home have no more space for any more awards, plaques or other memorabilia as have been heaped on him during said career(s).
I suspect it wouldn’t have mattered much what he chose to do with his working life, it would have been chock full of people who found him to be intelligent, even tempered, fair, approachable, good humored, dedicated, supportive and the list rolls on. That being said, I’m guessing that there may be a few folks he has pissed off over the years but working with Federal and State personnel, contractors and even legislators, that is a given. Even if this is true, I never heard a negative comment about him. So, Good job Dennis! My guess is that you will find retirement easier than some might think. Maybe you can buy back your old C140 if you find you need a flying fix. Don’t let the DynCorp guys give you a Huey or an OV-10 on a stick for your yard. I suspect it wouldn’t go over well with the home owners association.
Thank You Jon, I am very humbled by your kind words.
Thank you for leaving this poem Joy. I had never seen it before and it really hits home with me. Thanks
Smokejumper done good. Congrats.
Thanks Tim!
Not sure if I’ve ever flown on a fire with this man before, but he sounds like the consummate professional that we all strive to be. What a remarkable career. Enjoy your well deserved retirement sir!
I have had the honor to work with Dennis while we were both working for R5. Then he was onto Cal Fire where he has had the vision to modernize the State’s helicopter and airtanker fleet. If I had to use one word to describe Dennis, it would be integrity.
Fair winds Dennis. Hope I run into you sometime in the near future.
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