From his first day in July 2002, Steve Dunn brought experience and leadership to the UC Davis Fire Department. A seasoned firefighter with seven years at Sutter County Fire, he quickly became a cornerstone of the department, and his 23-year tenure at UC Davis has been marked by courage, compassion, and dedication to fire service.

Dunn began as a firefighter and quickly rose through the ranks, first to Fire Engineer, then to Fire Captain. He was assigned to the Truck Company, a specialized crew responsible for ventilation, forcible entry, and search and rescue using the department’s ladder truck.

Leading in California’s Toughest Fire Seasons

As captain, Dunn led his team through countless emergency responses and commanded more than 30 strike team deployments to major wildfires across California, including the Tubbs Fire in Napa County, Carr Fire in Shasta County, the Camp and Park Fires in Butte County, and most recently, the Eaton Fire in Los Angeles County. With up to 22 personnel on a single team, these critical deployments demanded strong leadership and unwavering trust.

During the Eaton Fire in January 2025, Dunn served as a Task Force Leader, coordinating personnel and resources from across the Lake Tahoe Basin. He and his crew worked around the clock alongside regional and international responders to protect communities in the face of dangerous wind-driven fire conditions. His leadership and coordination were vital to the multi-agency response during one of California’s most destructive wildfires.

More Than a Job: A Firefighting Family

Yet for Dunn, firefighting has always been about more than emergency response. “Along with all of the strike team deployments I have been on, I would say the relationships I have built with my coworkers are a proud accomplishment of mine,” he shared. “The fire service turns out to be a person’s second family, and leaving my UC Davis Fire Department family has been the hardest decision of my life.”

As he enters retirement, Dunn carries with him the respect of his peers, the gratitude of the UC Davis and larger California community, and the lasting legacy of a life dedicated to protecting and saving lives.

“I truly appreciate my 23 years of service to the UC Davis community and will never regret the decision I made to work here,” Dunn said. “Thank you, UC Davis.”