Emergency Operations Center Manager Rafael Rios Is a proud tribal member of the Cahuilla Band of Indians and grew up on the Cahuilla Reservation. He started working for the Cahuilla Fire Department in 2020 as a Fire Fighter and was promoted to Engineer in 2022. In October of 2023 Rafael was promoted to EOC Manager where he uses his skills and passion for helping his community plan, prepare, respond to, and recover from both natural and man-made disasters.

His formal education includes an associate degree in natural science, and a bachelor's degree in environmental science both from Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence, Kansas. Along with various certificates involving fire suppression, incident command, and emergency management.

He is inspired by his community and family which includes his wife and four children.