November 19, 2025 – Supervisors presented a certificate of recognition to CAL FIRE NEU Chief Brian Estes at Tuesday’s Board of Supervisors (BOS) meeting. Estes, who is retiring after 35 years of service, was unanimously lauded for his responsiveness in any emergency situation and his willingness to share his perspective with the BOS and staff. Maybe the highest praise came from Nevada County Sheriff Shannan Moon, when she said “he truly understands what Joint Command means.”
Fire and law enforcement often work together during major incidents, but the collaboration is not always seamless. Moon didn’t hesitate to highlight Estes’ willingness to truly collaborate, train and practice. This, according to Moon, allows both agencies to show up at an incident and be prepared. “On behalf of the men and women of the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office in Joint Command throughout the years, I say thank you for your leadership, your friendship, and again, the legacy that I know you’re leaving is we’re going to continue with that great friendship and leadership. So thank you. Congrats.”
Supervisor Sue Hoek said, “It’s a privilege. I just, I feel honored to get to sit here and talk with you… You’ve been in Nevada County for our highs and our lows and I think those are important accomplishments that we’ve all created together, even in the lows where we made things happen… I look and see all these folks in the audience. I think that’s important to know how you help to build and create a Unit that has that kind of camaraderie too, that becomes involved and engaged in the community. Those are so important and I think it’s very special what we have. It’s not like that everywhere. So I want to thank you for that.”
Supervisor Swarthout recalled the first time she met Estes. “The first time I think I had a one on one conversation with Brian was when I was running for office and he was very gracious and invited me to come down to Auburn to meet with him. And I’d heard so many great things about him and I knew that I was in for a great meeting – until I walked into his office and saw the Dodgers memorabilia… Anytime we have a question about anything, you have been willing to come and listen and answer our questions and really give us an open, honest opinion about the fire service and you know, all the things that go along with it. So you were very much appreciated.”
Supervisor Bullock stated, “What a career. I have not heard all that detail until the resolution was presented, but congratulations to you and being in public service and being resilient in that position takes a lot of fortitude and a lot of positive energy… I just wanted to tell a funny story, too, that every time Brian and I get together, we’re supposed to get together and talk about fire, but instead we talk about airplanes and flying airplanes. And so we sit around and talk about airplanes for two and a half hours, and then we squeeze two hours of meetings into 15 minutes and talk about the rest of it.”
Supervisor Tucker commented, “Congratulations on an impressive career, and it got a unique perspective in that I really have only gotten to know you in the last year other than by reputation, but in that short amount of time, I have come to really trust you and respect you and see the work you do in a short amount of time. And I think it speaks volumes that having only known you really, for nine months, I’m really sad to see you go.”
Chair Hall rounded out the BOS remarks, saying “I also want to say thank you, first of all, to you and your team for keeping us safe all these years. I know it is a team effort, but the way the team works comes from leadership. And you’ve been an exceptional leader and that’s kept all of us safe. Thank you so much for that… You were the first one who came and talked to me and said, here’s how things work. You took me out in the field. You answered all my hard questions, all my dumb questions, and, you know, really educated me and all of us into what we needed to consider when we make decisions up here on the board with regards to fire… You’re a model administrator and leader for how you know how to work together and really put the community first. And you’re able to set your ego aside and just lean into what everything that we need is and do whatever is needed. I am going to miss you so much and I agree – I know you’re leaving us in good hands, but it’s been a pleasure and a joy to work with you.”
CEO Lehman thanked Estes for being a trusted partner and illustrated it with this. “The story that always stands out to me, just shows in terms of the character and the human that you are. It was a big snow event. It was Snowmageddon. I get a call from Supervisor Hoek saying that we have this elderly couple out on the Ridge. Now, they are really out there on a road covered with snow and we talked to our many partners. We weren’t able to access them. They were out of firewood for heat. I called you and said, hey, here’s our situation. I don’t know if there’s anything you can do. And you said, I got it. I said, are you sure? Because here’s the situation. And you said, nope, we got it. And you did. That senior couple got the wood that they needed to keep warm for the days that they were homebound. So I just want to thank you on behalf of the county, on behalf of staff. What an amazing partner you’ve been. We wish you well in your retirement. And then just my closing thoughts is that being Chief is just one dimension. You’re just one of the most interesting people. Not only are you a strong administrator, you have expertise in fire and you’re this accomplished artist. So I really hope that goes full circle for you in retirement. You’re also probably one of the best event producers I’ve ever met. If you ever go to a Cal Fire event, every minute of the schedule is, like, planned out. The T’s are crossed, the I’s are dotted, we definitely learn from you. So, Chief, thank you for everything. Personally, professionally, on behalf of our team, we wish you the best in retirement.”
Chief Estes replied to the wave of appreciation by saying “Well, thank you, Chair Hall and members of the board. Allison, Julie, Kit, thank you so very much. If I could have some permission maybe to just call you by your first name. You know, that is what I think is when I reflect on Sue’s comments and Allison’s comments and Hardy and yourself, everyone. You know, the thing that’s most special to me about the relationship I’ve had for the past eight years here is the friendships and the personal relationships that I’ve built with all of you. I’m not a local boy to Nevada County. And, you know, in the fire service, sometimes that’s a detractor, you know, but sometimes it offers maybe a different set of lenses to look at things. What I’ve just appreciated so much about Nevada County is the humanity and the nature of yourselves as government leaders, the staff that Allison leads so confidently, but with humanity and compassion. Allison and I have had many laughs and great stories and great times together just as friends. And I often tell her that, you know, when I had a really rough week or things were just overwhelming, sometimes the best place to be for me was on the front porch of the Grass Valley Air Attack Base on a hot summer afternoon with a cold water or something like that. Because it just brought things down to a level of relativity. I appreciate that because that is a sign of leadership that that is provided in this County by county government and by Allison and her staff and everyone that’s in this audience who I have been so fortunate enough to call friends and colleagues. I just really appreciate the ability to have that opportunity with all of you. Allison, thank you just for being a friend and a colleague. And I just, I really, really enjoy our laughter. You know, I have to tell a funny story, I think. Every single time we’ve had a significant event in Nevada County, Allison has seemed to be on this backpack trip. I don’t know if she really backpacks or if it’s just if that’s what she tells me, because how coincidental is it that whether it’s a winter storm or the Jones fire or the River fire, she’s always backpacking. So I may have to do a little bit more investigation to find out if that was true or not. [laughter] But at the same time, she answered the phone and I briefed her on it, and she was able to have the information she needed as a leader in this county. And I’ll cherish, you know, the memories with Sue and just, you know, just the down to earth nature that you are as a person. Sue means the world to me. And Hardy, you’re not going to get rid of me that easily. I might just show up at your local airport and hijack your airplane with you and all of you, Heidi, we’ve known each other just as long from the first day, and I really appreciate you. And for Lisa and Rob, you know, just you approaching me right from the beginning, asking, you know, about my philosophy and my leadership style and how I view the Nevada County Board of Supervisors and government means world to me. So thank you for all that. And I do just want to speak to, you know, the team behind me. I cannot think of a more qualified leader than Chief Jim Hudson to take the reins of the unit. He has been probably the most loyal Deputy Chief that any fire chief could have for the last eight years. And his competency, his intelligence far surpasses anything that I have. He will be a great achievement. I think that is maybe the overall goal of a fire chief or any kind of leader is just to surround yourself with good people, which is reflective of, you know, not only my executive staff back here, but the men and women who were on the front lines in the back of this room. A small sample of the people who serve Nevada County every single day and night. But I do feel that there’s one accomplishment that I’ve made is I’ve built a pretty darn good team. And that team will take this leadership of this unit and the service of Nevada County into the future. I don’t even think you’re going to see that. You’re going to see a ripple in the water. I’m confident in that. So thank you very, very much.”
Chief Estes confirmed in his address to the BOS the appointment of Deputy Chief Jim Hudson as the new CAL FIRE Nevada-Yuba-Placer (NEU) Unit Chief.
Editor’s note: We wish Chief Estes the best in his retirement and hope to see some of his artwork soon in a local gallery. We also thank him for always being available to participate in numerous community forums, answer questions and include local media in events within the unit. The evolution of NEU over the years has been to the benefit of the community, made possible in large part by his leadership.