Southern Humboldt Fire & Rescue Joint Powers Alliance 

Board of Directors

Anna Rogers

Anna Rogers was born on a small tributary of the Mattole River, and stewardship of the environment has been ingrained in her by our community since day one. She received a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts in Theatre Arts with an emphasis in Scenic Design & Stage Management from the University of Idaho, and moved back to Humboldt County to be near family in 2006. Southern Humboldt and its beautiful trees, rivers, mountains and coastline will always be home. Anna serves as the Education, Development & Administrative Director at Sanctuary Forest, a local nonprofit land and water trust that was established in 1987. Community is very important to Anna, and she has served on several local nonprofit boards including the Mateel Community Center Board of Directors, the Redwood Playhouse Board of Directors and the Friends of the Garberville Library Board. Anna is currently a member of the Humboldt County Fire Safe Council, Whitethorn Fire Safe Council, Whitethorn CERT Team, Shelter Cove CERT Team and serves as an Advisory Committee member on the Whitethorn Fire Protection District Board of Directors. Anna lives in Shelter Cove and was nominated by the Whitethorn Fire Protection District Board because of her close involvement with the board, the fire safe councils and land stewardship through her work at Sanctuary Forest. She is interested in helping facilitate wildfire safety and disaster preparedness for Southern Humboldt as a whole, and looks forward to the enhanced collaboration between Southern Humboldt fire departments as a result of the establishment of the Joint Powers Alliance.

Dan Gribi

Dan Gribi is a long-term resident of Salmon Creek, where he built his home and raised his family. He has long been a foundational member of the Southern Humboldt fire community, acting as the Salmon Creek Volunteer Fire Department Chief for many years as well as a Fire Protection District Board member. He is a regular participant of the Southern Humboldt Fire Chiefs’ Association and a member of the Southern Humboldt Technical Rescue Team. He has been an active member of the Southern Humboldt Amateur Radio Club, and is an experienced and skilled pilot. Many know Dan as a genuine and friendly community member, always ready to help others.

Laura Cochrane

Laura Cochrane lives on Wilder Ridge in Ettersburg. She grew up in Eureka but spent all the summers of her youth in Ettersburg. SoHum has been her home since 2009,  She has been involved in the community from the get-go. She has served as the Executive Director of the Southern Humboldt Community Park since 2019, overseeing nonprofit operations, budgets, and myriad partnerships. Laura worked for a decade with the Mattole Restoration Council wearing many hats but primarily in contract management. She has been a Rotarian since 2023, and a board member of the Telegraph Ridge Fire Protection District for 13 years, many of which she spent as Chairperson. Laura also previously served as Board Treasurer for Southern Humboldt Little League, and most recently was appointed to the South Fork High School Site Council. This combination of experience has given her a practical understanding of governance, fiscal responsibility, compliance, and collaboration across agencies and districts.  Laura’s involvement with all of these local organizations over the past 16 years has also helped her understand both the challenges and the importance of clear communication, shared resources, and strong leadership, especially during times of transition. Laura believes strongly in the role that SoHum Fire & Rescue can play in strengthening the long-term resilience of our region through supporting fuel reduction work and providing paid opportunities for volunteer firefighters. These efforts not only improve public safety, but help keep skilled community members working locally while building pathways for training, advancement, and long-term stability. Laura is excited at the prospect to contribute to this important venture.

Marty Hobbs

Marty Hobbs is a 27 year resident of Ettersburg, where he resides with his family. Marty has had a long career of over 30 years devoted to the fire service, 27 of which he has been with CalFire in Humboldt County serving as an Engineer, Fire Captain, Battalion Chief and then Division Chief. Marty currently serves as an executive Board Member of the Humboldt County Farm Bureau, a grassroots organization dedicated to preserving and promoting industries such as livestock, agriculture, aquaculture, floral crops and forestry in Humboldt County. Hobbs' experience in the Fire Service has given him an outstanding reputation, as not only an incredible firefighter and leader, but also a very valued community member. He is fluent in organizational structure and development as well as strategy coordination and logistical operations. 

Todd Phelps

Todd Phelps grew up by the Eel River just outside of Garberville. He has ranched on Elk Ridge, north of Briceland for most of his adult life. He is a lifelong member of the Farm Bureau as well as the Cattlemen's Association, a nonprofit trade association that represents California’s ranchers. Todd served as a director and officer, finally terming out after serving as president of the Cattleman’s Association. His community involvement has been agricultural as well as being a very well respected and treasured neighbor and member of the Humboldt community. Nowadays, Todd enjoys being a member of the Humboldt County Prescribed Burn Association and participating in prescribed burns. He also enjoys doing volunteer work at the community park where he is able to offer his valued agricultural advice to the board. Todd leases some of the land at the Community Park and you can often find his beautiful herd grazing on the picturesque fields. Todd believes it's beneficial for board members to be somewhat independent and impartial. Todd loves efficiency and is intrigued with the possibilities that a Joint Powers Alliance could bring to our far flung community. Founding boards have the challenge of figuring out just what roles they can best advance and communicating that to the individual fire districts as well as the public at large, if selected, he would certainly do his best to achieve that.