Assistant Chief David Wolf has served as the Assistant Chief of Special Operations since 2023. In this role he supports the collaborative projects in Grand County including wildland fire, water rescue, hazmat, and generally working to stay ahead of change.

His career has spanned more than two decades, starting as a volunteer in Pennsylvania while at Allegheny College for geology and economics. He then earned his Masters Degree at Washington State University and Ph.D. at Cornell University, both in geology. While in New York he served the Cayuga Heights Fire Department as an Assistant Chief and contributed as a County Fire Instructor for Tompkins County. In 2010, he moved to Houston, Texas to work for an international oil & gas company as a research scientist and served the 600 member Cy-Fair Fire Department as a station officer, board member, and ultimately managed the department’s fire training program for 350 volunteers. In 2016 he moved to Estes Park to serve as the Fire Chief for the Estes Valley Fire Protection District, advancing training programs and agency capabilities. He has earned designations from the Center for Public Safety Excellence as a Chief Fire Officer, Chief Training Officer, and Fire Marshal, and is currently working on qualifications as a Certified Emergency Manager.

He believes in supporting work beyond your own borders and does so through by participating with Colorado State Fire Chiefs, UL Fire Safety Research Institute, International Association of Fire Chiefs, and Colorado State University FESA program. He participates in many committees and boards focused on advancing fire service training, addressing recruitment & retention challenges, and improving diversity, equity, and inclusion in the fire service. He spends his free time in the mountains hiking, skiing, and fishing with his wife and two sons.