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HAROLD SCHAPELHOUMAN ELECTED TO SANTA CLARA COUNTY FIRESAFE COUNCIL BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Retired Menlo Park Fire District Chief brings 40 years of experience leading fire agencies and Urban Search and Rescue teams during the Oklahoma City Bombing, 9/11 World Trade Center Disaster and Hurricane Katrina.
August 25, 2025, Saratoga, CA—The Santa Clara County FireSafe Council (SCCFSC) announced today it has elected retired Fire Chief Harold Schapelhouman to its Board of Directors. Prior to retirement, Chief Schapelhouman spent 40 years with the Menlo Park Fire Protection District starting as a firefighter and finishing as the Fire Chief, overseeing a $60 million-dollar annual budget. The Fire District serves 100,000 residents and businesses located in the communities of Atherton, East Palo Alto, Menlo Park and unincorporated San Mateo County. The Fire District is located along the San Francisco Bay and in what is known as Silicon Valley. Chief Schapelhouman managed first response service contracts and agreements with the California Governors Office of Emergency Services (Cal-OES) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Emergency Support Function 9 (ESF-9), Urban Search and Rescue (US&R) as California Task Force 3 (CA-TF3), an “all risk” Task Force specializing in catastrophic collapse, flood, wildland fire and other environmental and man-made incidents needing immediate search, rescue and recovery operations. Chief Schapelhouman currently serves on the advisory board for Ladris Technologies and Komodo Fire Systems, Inc.
“I have lived most of my life in Santa Clara County and spent countless hours hiking, biking, motorcycling, off-roading, backpacking, water skiing, fishing and camping in our beautiful local parks, reservoirs and mountains,” said Harold Schapelhouman. “I have witnessed many tragedies as a firefighter and first responder. I know it’s not a matter of if we will have a significant wildland fire in the County, but rather when. So, I look forward to trying to help mitigate and prevent the catastrophic effects of a potential major wildland fire incident by joining the incredible team at the Santa Clara County FireSafe Council.”
According to Dede Smullen, Chair of the Board, Santa Clara County Fire Safe Council "We are delighted to have Harold Schapelhouman join the Santa Clara County FireSafe Council Board of Directors. His decades of leadership experience and passion for community service will be invaluable as we continue our mission to mobilize residents to protect their homes and communities from wildfires. We are looking forward to leveraging his experience as we strategically expand our capabilities to serve the community."
According to Seth Schalet, CEO, Santa Clara County Fire Safe Council “During the last several years I have come to know Chief Schapelhouman well. His passion and dedication to community service, board experience and proven leadership will enhance the FireSafe Council’s capabilities. Following my invitation to join the board, he made a dedicated effort to attend meetings and actively participated with both the board and staff during his due diligence. Our team is looking forward to leveraging his experience.”
About Santa Clara County FireSafe Council:
As a 501 (c)3 nonprofit with a 20-year history, Santa Clara County FireSafe Council’s core mission is to mobilize the people of Santa Clara County to protect their homes, communities, and environment from wildfires. As a trusted partner across the government, fire service, corporate and WUI residential communities, SCCFSC has led some of the most complex hazardous fuel reduction projects in the region. With a board and advisory council that has deep expertise across the wildfire ecosystem including wildfire and environmental research, academia, emergency management, regional planning, technology products and wildland firefighting leadership, Santa Clara County FireSafe Council is uniquely positioned to lead cross-sector collaborations, government-private partnerships in Silicon Valley, Santa Clara County and beyond. For more information, visit www.sccfiresafe.org
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Santa Clara County FireSafe Council
14380 Saratoga Ave
Saratoga, CA 95070
(408) 975-9591
www.sccfiresafe.org
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