Our People

Dennis Ratcliffe is a firefighter whose commitment, leadership, and service have made a lasting impact on OCFA and the communities he serves. Coming from a family dedicated to public service — with his father serving as a fire engineer and his brother as a police lieutenant — Dennis was inspired early to follow a career in emergency response.

Over his career, Dennis has served in numerous capacities, including as a member of the Honor Guard and California US&R Task Force 5. Among his most meaningful experiences was his deployment to the Camp Fire, where he served as a US&R Search Manager helping the community recover and locate missing victims. He has also proudly honored fallen heroes during 9/11 memorial ceremonies.

Dennis and his family, including his wife and two children, enjoy spending time together outdoors, camping at El Capitan, and working on his 1968 Camaro, which he rebuilt with the help of his dad, brother, and son. He also enjoys cooking for his crew and cherishes the camaraderie, variety, and learning opportunities each day brings in the fire service.

Sharing his perspective on life, Dennis says, “Keep everything in balance — work, life, hobbies.” His dedication, leadership, and commitment to family and community make Dennis Ratcliffe a respected and valued member of OCFA.