PIO Ryan Beckers brings you this week’s Situation Report Podcast, highlighting operational updates, training, and community engagement across every division of San Bernardino County Fire.
Vehicle Services prepares to return multiple apparatus to service - ME53, ME77, ME306, MT77, and Hazmat 2626. Ground ladder testing and new employee onboarding are also underway.
ISO reviews are taking place throughout the week, impacting several divisions as the Insurance Services Office evaluates readiness and equipment, a key factor in local insurance ratings.
In Training, HazMat Tech class is active at the training center, and Division Three hosts a multi-agency MCI drill at Calvary Chapel.
Across the county:
Division 1 crews will attend Veterans Day events, school visits, and host tours for Cub Scouts and U.S. Army Reserve members.
Division 2 features school visits, hazmat professional development, and community presentations.
Division 3 continues PCF drills and joint exercises.
Division 4 focuses on ISO inspections, a FireBelles meeting at the river, and Crew 8’s post-storm cleanup operations in Needles.
Division 5 partners with CAL FIRE for training, participates in Veterans Day ceremonies, and supports recruiting at Victor Valley College’s public-safety event.
We’re back with Episode 13 of the San Bernardino County Fire PIO Podcast!
Host Captain Shawn Millerick and the team continue the mission to inform, educate, and entertain.
Episode Highlights:
Inside the Shops: Fleet, Fabrication, and Fire Trucks
Dale explains the difference between the D Street and Lena shops and how the team manages repairs, parts, and fabrication for a growing fleet.
The crew gets a behind-the-scenes look at the new K1 80 fire engines—including what sets the West Coast spec apart from its East Coast counterpart.
Learn how standardization could revolutionize fleet management—and why local terrain and tradition still matter.
Dale reveals the story behind the department’s signature “Chrysler Red” paint chip—and why it’s guarded like treasure.
The team discusses how careful driving and daily inspections help extend vehicle life and reduce costly repairs.
Fire Department Features
Dale shares how the shop will soon be fully staffed for the first time in 10 years—a huge milestone for the fleet team.
The discussion covers how the department is preparing snow cats and mountain utilities ahead of winter, ensuring readiness for snow season.
Crews also talk about new reserve rigs and how smart scheduling and preventative maintenance keep apparatus in service longer.
Tech Corner: Low-Tech Forestry with High Impact
PIO’s Tech Corner goes “low-tech” this episode with Wildland Fuels Specialist Jared Dowden, who introduces listeners to the Forestry Challenge—an academic competition where high school students measure and analyze forest data using traditional tools.
Learn how the program has expanded statewide since 2003 and now brings 100–200 students annually to the San Bernardino Mountains for hands-on forestry science.
Jared explains how old-school field methods meet modern environmental data collection to inspire the next generation of conservationists.
Joke of the Day
Dale: “I caught my daughter chewing on an extension cord—so I grounded her. She’s conducting herself properly now, but the whole situation was shocking.”
Jared adds a forestry twist:
“How can you identify a dogwood tree? By its bark.”
Links Mentioned in the Episode:
The seventh episode of Situation Report is now live. This podcast is a 10-15 minute weekly briefing for San Bernardino County Fire personnel.
This episode features division updates for the week of November 3, 2025, including:
West Valley Division: USAR quarterly drill at Hesperia Aqueduct (Mon/Wed/Fri, 9–12). Captains meeting Tuesday (9:30–12). School tours (St. 161, Wed) and career day (St. 78, Thu). Town Hall at St. 164 and San Antonio Heights annual meeting Thursday evening. Fontana tour (Fri, St. 81) and Summit Church Festival (Sat, 5–6 p.m.).
East Valley Division: CityGate Standards meeting Tuesday. Medic Truck 221 to Teamsters career day (Wed) and Tower 20 for aerial climb (Thu). Carpet cleaning at St. 224 on Friday.
Mountain Division: Voting at St. 91, 95 & 98 (Tue). PCF drill at St. 98. Station 92 walkthrough (Thu). MAC meeting Thursday night. CERT training Saturday (8–5).
South Desert Division: Ride-alongs at St. 41 (Mon/Fri) and St. 44 (Thu). Yucca Valley Town Council Tuesday (5–7 p.m.). AC repair at St. 36 (Wed).
North Desert Division: USAR drill all week. MAC meeting (Oak Hills, Mon). Lucerne Valley HS career day (Wed). Ride-alongs (Trail 2 Thu, St. 305 Fri). Captains meeting (Sat, 10–12). “Spark of Love” kickoff (Sun, 11–4).
In this special episode of the PIO Podcast, host PIO Shawn Millerick is joined by Fire Chief Dan Munsey to discuss the tragic loss of San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Deputy Andrew Nunez, who was killed in the line of duty in Rancho Cucamonga.
Chief Munsey shares his reflections on the close bond between County Fire and the Sheriff’s Department, the emotional impact of such events on first responders, and the importance of peer support and behavioral health programs for those who serve.
They discuss how County Fire’s peer support teams, chaplains, and comfort dogs stand ready to help both firefighters and law enforcement members process trauma and find strength in community.
For those who may be struggling to process this incident, please reach out to Captain Jeremy Pendergraft and the Care Team or your supervisor. They will put you in touch with resources to help.
We’re back with Episode 11 of the San Bernardino County Fire PIO Podcast!
Host Captain Shawn Millerick and the team continue the mission to inform, educate, and entertain.
EOC and Division Updates: Host Shawn Millerick talks with Division Chief Bob Evans and Battalion Chief Chris Gorman. Evans shares insights from his role in the county’s Emergency Operations Center, while Gorman highlights Fontana projects including new engines, the “Black Pearl” donation to Mexicali, Rosena Ranch Station 3 with an SO substation, and plans for a new training tower and classroom.
Crew Reflections: Updates on the new admin building, the 9/11 memorial, the recruit academy, and leadership advice for new firefighters.
Tech Spotlight: Stuart Landesberg from Seneca Drones showcases autonomous suppression copters using AI and thermal sensors for rapid early attack.a
Links Mentioned in the Episode:
We’re back with Episode 11 of the San Bernardino County Fire PIO Podcast!
Host Captain Shawn Millerick and the team continue the mission to inform, educate, and entertain.
In this episode:
On the Road with New Rigs: Captain Jeff Schneider calls in from South Dakota where the apparatus committee is inspecting the department’s new Type 1 fire engines. Hear how the team makes sure each rig is ready for service and how they will strengthen the reserve fleet.
Crew Reflections and Voices from the Field: Conversations with Captain Andrew Bonhus, new paramedic Anthony Bazzo, and Ethan Swergold from Seneca Drones. From mentorship to new technology, the crew talks about growth and collaboration in the fire service.
Tech Spotlight: A preview of Seneca Drones’ upcoming demo and how aerial tools can expand safety and awareness on the fireground.
From pumpkin spice fun to serious inspections, the message stays the same: prepare, adapt, and take care of your team. Plus the Joke of the Day and This Day in History.
Links Mentioned in the Episode:
We’re back with Episode 10 of the San Bernardino County Fire PIO Podcast! Host Captain Shawn Millerick and the team continue the mission to inform, educate, and entertain.
In this episode:
Leadership on the Road: The crew visits the George Washington Leadership Institute and Gettysburg’s Higher Ground Program, exploring decision making, training for the unexpected, and how strong communication and trust shape great teams.
Crew Reflections and Tech Spotlight: Highlights from field interviews on growth, mentorship, and collaboration with multiple employees from SBCoFD
A quick look at Quake Technologies’ AI firefighter helmet with hands-free augmented vision and real-time Mayday alerts designed to enhance safety on the fireground.
From historic battlefields to modern firegrounds, the lessons remain the same: lead with purpose, prepare for adversity, and take care of your people. Plus, the Joke of the Day, and This Day in History.
Links Mentioned in the Episode:
We’re back with Episode 9 of the San Bernardino County Fire PIO Podcast!
Host Captain Shawn Millerick and the team continue the mission to inform, educate, and entertain.
In this episode:
Host Shawn Millerick checks in from Mount Vernon, Virginia, but the focus is on San Bernardino County Fire’s recent Tesla First Responder Training at the ARFF Training Center. Firefighters spent two days learning how to safely handle Tesla vehicles, batteries, and solar systems in real world emergencies.
Shawn interviews Victor from Tesla, who shares his journey from electrician to Tesla’s Codes and Standards team, along with behind the scenes stories from installing Solar Roofs for VIPs including Elon Musk to developing training tools like VR simulations for first responders.
Plus, the Joke of the Day, This Day in History, and Tech Corner featuring safety resources for firefighters.
Links Mentioned in the Episode:
The sixth episode of Situation Report is now live. This podcast is a 10-15 minute weekly briefing for San Bernardino County Fire personnel.
This episode features division updates for the week of September 29, 2025, including:
West Valley Division: Gas monitor training for Battalions 2 & 3 on Tuesday and Thursday, and Upland rig attendance at the funeral for retired Fire Chief John Scanlon on Friday (11 a.m.–1 p.m.).
East Valley Division: Multi‑mission coats will be distributed at Fire Station 221 (Tuesday & Thursday), and Medic Squad 222 will support CERT fire safety training in San Bernardino on Tuesday.
Mountain Division: Live fire training will engage Medic Engines 26, 94, and 96 in the afternoon session on Tuesday.
South Desert Division: The schedule includes Miracle League baseball, a rescheduled live burn with Stations 36 & 42, coat distribution, routine apparatus servicing, and Friday night football coverage by Ambulance 42.
North Desert Division: Key events include NFPA physicals, live fire training (Engines 322, 305, 10, 8), school visits and career day outreach, environmental emergency training, coat distribution, apparatus/crew site tours, and standby coverage at local football games and community events.
We’re back with Episode 8 of the San Bernardino County Fire PIO Podcast!
Host Captain Shawn Millerick and the team continue the mission to inform, educate, and entertain.
In this episode:
From San Bernardino International Airport, Captain Jay Dimoff of Station 233 shares his 26-year fire service journey and how his ties to San Felipe, Mexico inspired decades of cross-border donations of fire engines, ambulances, and equipment.
The team also dives into the behind the scenes logistics of getting retired rigs across the border, the role of community groups like the Fontana Rotary, and why outfitting firefighters with the right tools is more than just equipment, it is about dignity and service.
Captain Trent Blanchard from Station 71 calls in to talk Tech Corner, where he breaks down the evolution from hydraulic “line tools” to battery powered extrication gear and why this change matters on scene.
Plus, the Joke of the Day, This Day in History, and San Bernardino County Fun Facts.
Links Mentioned in the Episode:
The fifth episode of Situation Report is now live. This podcast is a 10-15 minute weekly briefing for San Bernardino County Fire personnel.
This episode features division updates for the week of September 22, 2025, including:
West Valley’s multi-mission coat distribution rollout, new gas monitor training, Boy Scout Troop 614 station visit, large commercial occupancy training in Fontana, Explorer training at Station 71, and a Helpful Honda firefighter appreciation event at Station 72.
East Valley’s active shooter tabletop exercise with Omnitrans, multiple school visits and community events, EMS and environmental emergencies training, and standby coverage for the Glen Helen Sheriff’s Rodeo. The week closes with the Firefighter Cancer Support Event at the DoubleTree.
Mountain Division’s coat distribution, ISOM inspections, PCF drills, stakeholder coffee at Station 91, and a career fair at Rim of the World High School.
South Desert’s live fire training, Miracle League baseball, trunk-or-treat in Yucca Valley, a Copper Mountain College job fair, coat distribution, gas monitor training, and Friday night football coverage.
North Desert’s NFPA physicals, AMCA service, environmental emergencies training, standby coverage at Riverside Prep, and community outreach at the Adelanto Little League Fall Festival.
We’re back with Episode 7 of the San Bernardino County Fire PIO Podcast!
Host Captain Shawn Millerick and the team continue the mission to inform, educate, and entertain.
In this episode:
Division Chief Jim Topoleski joins the crew to share his fire service origin story, his decades-long career path through Redlands and Cal Fire, and his perspective on why San Bernardino County Fire offers “a firefighter’s dream” with its scope of calls, tools, and opportunities.
The team dives into incident management teams, why they matter, how SBCoFD is building capacity for the future, and how any firefighter, regardless of rank, can get involved in complex incident response.
Special guest Ryan Vaccaro calls in with a South Desert update, covering Joshua Tree rescues, Miracle League baseball for kids with disabilities, and progress on the long-awaited Station 41 rebuild.
Plus, the Joke of the Day, This Day in History, a quick Tech Corner spotlight on lightning detection systems rolling out across the county, and updates from our fire crews.
Links Mentioned in the Episode:
The fourth episode of Situation Report is now live. This podcast is a 10-15 minute weekly briefing for San Bernardino County Fire personnel.
This episode features division updates for the week of September 15, 2025, including:
West Valley’s afternoon live fire burns, gas monitor training, a Busy Bees daycare tour at Fire Station 78.
East Valley’s environmental emergencies training, and Pacific High School special needs tour at Fire Station 226.
Mountain Division’s continuing education, live fire training, and gas monitor training.
South Desert’s Miracle League baseball, and gas monitor training.
North Desert’s NFPA physicals, burn training, explorer training, Hesperia Day Parade, high school football coverage, a regional rodeo standby, and ME304 recognition.
Also included are executive staff updates on returning hand crews, state and county leadership events, and upcoming ISOM awards for department personnel. The episode wraps with training highlights and department-wide coordination updates.
We’re back with Episode 6 of the San Bernardino County Fire PIO Podcast!
Host Captain Shawn Millerick and the team continue the mission to inform, educate, and entertain.
In this episode:
Deputy Fire Marshal Adam Panos is joined by EMS Division Chief Mike O'Bier and Fuels Specialist Jarrod Dowden. Together, they highlight recent fire incidents, community safety concerns, and behind-the-scenes coordination efforts.
The crew discusses the importance of the weekly Situation Report and how staff and the public can access updates through Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and department email links.
Technology takes the spotlight, with insights on extended reality for firefighter training, wireless radio innovations, and upcoming demonstrations of cutting-edge thermal imaging equipment at the Training Center.
The team also reflects on the 9/11 memorial beam now permanently installed in Fontana, department fleet updates, and the continued push for EMS preceptors.
Plus, you’ll hear the return of “This Day in History,” and a look at how San Bernardino County Fire is preparing for the future with its strategic and technology plans.
Links Mentioned in the Episode:
The third episode of Situation Report is now live. This podcast is a 10-15 minute weekly briefing for San Bernardino County Fire personnel.
This episode features division updates for the week of September 8, 2025, including:
Hazmat 73 training at the Colton EV charging station, Division 1 headquarters move-in, and the 80th Anniversary Celebration at Cable Airport.
Patriot’s Day events at local schools, EMS training, and a Probation Department Resource Fair in the East Valley.
Mountain, South Desert, and High Desert divisions covering live fire burns, NFPA physicals, high school football, and the High Desert Pride Festival.
Also included are executive staff updates on Cal Fire mutual aid deployments, the Pyrite Fire response, and progress on the Valley Communication Center. The episode closes with OFM staff development highlights and training recaps.
We’re back with Episode 5 of the San Bernardino County Fire PIO Podcast! Host Captain Shawn Millerick and team continue the mission to inform, educate, and entertain.
In this episode:
Links Mentioned in the Episode:
We’re back with Episode 4 of the San Bernardino County Fire PIO Podcast! Host Captain Shawn Millerick and team continue the mission to inform, educate, and entertain.
In this episode:
Links Mentioned in the Episode:
This week’s Situation Report delivers a concise 11-minute briefing for San Bernardino County Fire covering the week of August 25, 2025. Get updates on training, equipment service, drills, and community events across all divisions.
Division Highlights:
West Valley: Multi-company low-angle rescue drills, reserve trucks in service, Explorer training at Station 81, and community outreach at a local church festival.
East Valley: Large commercial occupancy drills at a new tilt-up building, open enrollment and insurance presentations, and CCN training.
Mountains: NFPA physicals, PCF training, and California Regional Task Force 6 quarterly drills. Station 92 supports a fundraiser at Burnt Mill Beach Club.
North Desert: Station maintenance, medical trust info session, student ride-alongs, and Station 14’s Fire Safety Storytime at the library.
South Desert: NFPA labs, City Council meetings, Station 21 upgrades, and First Responders Appreciation Day at Black Meadow Resort.
Executive Staff Updates:
Leadership discussed mutual aid agreements, EMS Corps planning, iPad hardware replacement, FEMA wireline drill prep, and the successful Mount Vernon Bridge reopening, which drew more than 5,000 attendees. Additional notes include staffing updates, defibrillator pad supply concerns, and recognition of seven firefighter graduates from Crafton.
The episode wraps with a weather outlook—hot temperatures with thunderstorms likely—and a reminder to stay safe, stay hydrated, and watch for lightning.
We’re back with Episode 3 of the San Bernardino County Fire PIO Podcast! Host Captain Shawn Millerick and team continue the mission to inform, educate, and entertain, and this time with dirt still on their boots after returning straight from a San Bernardino fire.
In this episode:
Links Mentioned in the Episode:
This kickoff episode of Situation Report is a concise 10-minute briefing for San Bernardino County Fire. Get caught up on operational activity, training, and department-wide updates for the week of August 18, 2025.
Division Highlights:
Division 1 (West Valley):
Environmental emergencies training kicks off Tuesday at the new Cypress Center. Station 71 hosts a ride-along Thursday, while Station 79 participates in a community event at Kohl’s on Saturday. Engine 81 will be out of service for an engineers workshop midweek.
Division 2 (East Valley):
Summer burns continue on Tuesday, with fewer evolutions per crew due to heat. Engine 231 has a fall rescue walkthrough at Amazon on Wednesday. Stations 23 and 9 receive servicing on AMKUS hydraulic tools, and crews participate in the Inland Regional Center’s Blue Envelope filming event on Saturday. That same day, County Fire supports the Mount Vernon Bridge reopening in San Bernardino.
Division 3 (Mountains):
PCF trail training at Station 95, NFPA physical exams early in the week, and over-the-side rescue drills on Friday for rotating crews across the mountain division.
Division 4 (South Desert):
NFPA labs continue through midweek. Station 41 provides ambulance standby at the Yucca Valley varsity football game Friday night.
Division 5 (North Desert):
Training burns are scheduled for Wednesday across multiple units. Several stations undergo equipment servicing throughout the week. Fire Station 4 has a concrete assessment Thursday, and Brush Patrol 4 receives routine service Friday. Friday night also includes football game coverage in Adelanto and Victorville.
Executive Staff Updates:
Highlights from Monday’s meeting include the return of Medic Engine 76 from the shop, warehouse hiring progress, a pilot test of radio-over-wireless communications, and planning for the November 14 Salute to Service ceremony at the DoubleTree in San Bernardino. Also discussed: robotic technology evaluations, firefighter interview wrap-ups, and an early look at a possible “Operational Bill of Rights” to enhance safety and tracking at incident scenes.
The episode closes with a heads-up on an upcoming recruitment for a Media Specialist encouraging skilled creatives in photo, video, and digital content to watch for the job posting.