Division Can Be a Good Thing

San Bernardino County Fire Department officials recently announced the creation of a new County Fire Division. The East Valley Division (Division 6) will be formed to accommodate the expected transition of the San Bernardino City Fire Department into the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District. Division Chief John Chamberlin, previously assigned to lead the South Desert Division, has been named the first Division Chief of the East Valley Division. He will also help lead the transition of the San Bernardino City Fire Department into County Fire. “Chief Chamberlin brings a wealth of knowledge and experience into his new assignment. He has demonstrated strong leadership throughout his career at County Fire and I am confident in his ability to lead this new division from the ground up,” Fire Chief Mark Hartwig said. The prospective boundaries of Division 6 will split the existing Valley Division (Division 1) along Interstate 215, and will result in the renaming of Division 1 as the West Valley Division. “I am honored by the department’s decision and privileged to serve our residents in this new role,” Chief Chamberlin said. “I am grateful for the opportunity to help transition the San Bernardino City Fire Department, and look forward to working with the city’s staff and respected fire chiefs in completing the annexation process.” Division Chief John Chamberlin began his full time career with San Bernardino County Fire with the contracting of services for the City of Adelanto in September 1999, as a Firefighter/Paramedic. Prior to this, he served as both a Fire Dispatcher and Paid-Call Firefighter for both the County of San Bernardino and the City of Victorville. During his time with the County Fire, Chamberlin worked his way through the ranks becoming a Captain in 2004 and a Battalion Chief in 2013. Chamberlin has served on various committees and special projects including oversight of the Fire Suppression component of the department’s Hazardous Materials Response Team. He is also an active member of the department’s Urban Search and Rescue Team (RTF 6). Chief Chamberlin, along with Deputy Chief Jim Johnstone and Assistant Chief Don Trapp, will work closely with San Bernardino City Chiefs Thomas Hannemann and Daniel Harker to carry out the annexation, expected to be complete July 1, 2016.