Alameda County native John McPartland was elected to represent the 5th BART District, which includes the cities of Castro Valley (partial), Dublin, Hayward (partial), Livermore, Pleasanton, Sunol, Danville (partial) and San Ramon.

Before joining the Board, McPartland was a BART Safety Specialist for six years where he served as a liaison to, and facilitated disaster response training with, public safety agencies within the BART service area.  He also planned and conducted disaster training exercises between BART emergency operations staff and state, county and local municipalities.

McPartland came to BART with a strong background in emergency management and leadership.  He retired from the Oakland Fire Department after 25 years as a Chief Officer.  He was responsible for the mitigation of emergencies of every kind throughout the city.  Additionally, he served as the Emergency Medical Services Manager and was a member of the Federal Urban Search and Rescue Task Force.  McPartland is also an accomplished instructor of emergency command and operations courses and uses his expertise to teach at community colleges and serve on their advisory boards.

Prior to his career in the fire service, McPartland served in the armed forces for more than seven years, left active duty after his second Viet Nam tour and entered the Reserves. He continued to serve in a multitude of command and staff assignments was mobilized to active duty, including Desert Storm, and retired after 36 years of service as a Colonel.  His decorations are numerous and include, in part, the Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star and Meritorious Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster.

McPartland has been an active community supporter for his entire adult life.  Most notable among these include being a member of the Alameda County Emergency Managers Association, the national Disaster Medical Assistance Team, the Alameda County Sheriff’s Dive Unit, the Castro Valley Chamber of Commerce and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9601.

McPartland holds a B.A. from St. Mary’s Moraga, a M.P.A. from Cal State East Bay, is a “Command and General Staff Graduate” from the U.S. Army and holds a number of technical degrees and management and emergency operations. 

In his personal time McPartland dives, fishes, hunts and skis. He says, “I’m attempting to be a Type B Personality, with little success!”

Media & Public Affairs
Updated June 6, 2009