McLinn to Lead Valley Division

San Bernardino County Fire Chief Mark Hartwig is honored to announce the promotion of Jon McLinn from Battalion Chief to Division Chief, assigned to Division 1 (Valley region). As Division Chief, McLinn will take responsibility for fire and emergency medical response, and rescue operations in the Valley region which encompasses the unincorporated San Bernardino Valley and the City of Fontana. The division has contiguous boundaries with the communities of San Bernardino, Colton, Rialto, Rancho Cucamonga and Ontario and shares its southern boundary with Riverside County. “I look forward to continuing the strong working relationship with the communities we serve and the surrounding fire agencies.” stated Division Chief McLinn. “Fire prevention and education remain a priority.” Chief McLinn began his fire service career as a Firefighter with the Central Valley Fire Protection District in 1984. He was promoted to the position of Engineer in 1989 with the San Bernardino County Fire Agency. In 2003, he was promoted to Captain and was assigned to the Mountain Division. Here, he assisted in the development of the Fuels Reduction Program and Inmate Crew. In 2005, Chief McLinn returned to the Valley Division as a Suppression Captain. 2010 presented the next opportunity for Chief McLinn when he became a Training Officer for San Bernardino County Fire. In 2011, Jon was promoted to Division 4 in the mountains as a Battalion Chief. Throughout his career, Chief McLinn has actively pursued higher education and training. He has earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Fire Science from Columbia Southern University; a California State Fire Marshal Chief Officer’s Certification and completed the County’s 2010 Management Leadership Academy. He is currently assigned to a Southern California Type II Incident Management Team as a Division Group Supervisor-Trainee. Chief McLinn resides in Big Bear with his wife Andy and their three sons. Chief McLinn and his wife are avid rodeo fans. Chief McLinn fills the recently vacated position left by Chief Jim Johnstone, who was promoted to Assistant Chief. Johnstone proudly served the Valley residents for the past two years.