Robert Rezende

Chief Rezende has been with the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department for 17 years. He is currently the Battalion Chief assigned as the San Diego Fire-Rescue Hazmat Program Manager. Rob has been an active member of the hazmat team in all ranks since 2008. Rob has two (2) master’s degrees from San Diego State University. He has deployed as a Hazmat Specialist on many natural disaster responses on behalf of FEMA US&R and most recently as a lithium-ion battery expert to support the EPA at the Maui Fires. Chief Rezende has been tasked by our agency to spearhead the fire department’s preparedness in managing lithium-ion battery emergencies. He is also a member of the EPA’s Lithium-Ion Battery Task Force and FIRESCOPE’s Lithium-Ion Battery Subcommittee. He sits on several industry panels for battery safety.