Taking the Reins in Santa Barbara County
San
Bernardino County Fire Chief Mark Hartwig Tuesday, January 15th,
accepted an offer to serve as fire chief for Santa Barbara County Fire. After
serving nearly eight years at the helm of the San Bernardino County Fire
Protection District, Chief Hartwig’s final day with the District will be February
15, 2019.
“Building
a team of leaders and succession has been a high priority for me. We have a
talented group of leaders at San Bernardino County Fire, that will move forward
as the Board decides how to select my replacement,” Hartwig said.
“Chief
Hartwig has been a steadfast and effective leader for San Bernardino County,”
said Board of Supervisors Chairman Curt Hagman, who represents the Fourth
District. “The County has benefited from his expertise in emergency medical
services and his service on behalf of our community. We will miss working with
him and look forward to seeing him succeed in his new role.”
Hartwig
became San Bernardino County fire chief May 2, 2011 after serving as a Deputy Chief
in Rancho Cucamonga. Hartwig had
previously served with the San Bernardino County Fire Department from 1992
until 2005.
The
Fire District underwent tremendous growth during Hartwig’s tenure, including a
partnership with the Crest Forest Fire Protection District and the cities of
Needles, Hesperia, San Bernardino, Upland and Twentynine Palms to annex into
the district.
Hartwig
was recognized as the 2017 California Fire Chief of the Year by the California
State Fire Chiefs’ Association and was appointed by then-Governor Brown to the
California Commission on Emergency Medical Services on which he continues to
serve.
“Fire
Chief Mark Hartwig has served San Bernardino County for nearly eight years,
successfully leading the department through many challenging times,” said Board
of Supervisors Vice-Chair Josie Gonzales, who represents the Fifth District. “I
wish him well as he moves into this next phase of his professional career.”
“Chief
Hartwig raised the bar for public safety, emergency response and departmental
professionalism. His pursuit of excellence for San Bernardino County Fire will
be missed,” said Second District Supervisor Janice Rutherford.
“I
appreciate Chief Hartwig’s service to the County of San Bernardino,” said First
District Supervisor Robert Lovingood. “During his tenure, the chief has been a
strong advocate for the county, always willing to assist when his agency is
called upon to help ensure our constituents receive the best possible service.
The First District experienced some significant fires in recent years, and I
want to thank Chief Hartwig again for his leadership during those moments of
crisis. I wish The Chief all the best
as he transitions into this new leadership opportunity.”
“Chief
Hartwig has proven himself to be an invaluable asset, especially during some of
the most trying times in our county’s history,” said Third District Supervisor
Dawn Rowe. “I appreciate his service to Third District residents and our county
as a whole.”
One
of the many areas in which Hartwig has distinguished himself is his
collaboration with law enforcement in the pursuit of public safety. Under his
leadership, County Fire partnered with the San Bernardino County Sheriff in
creating an Airship Program for firefighting and emergency medical response and
the Inmate Hand Crew Program. Hartwig also helped develop a protocol in which
fire personnel enter active shooter situations with law enforcement to ensure
immediate medical aid to victims.
“I’d
like to congratulate Chief Hartwig and wish him well on his new endeavor,” said
Sheriff John McMahon. “I’m sure Mark will do a phenomenal job for the citizens
of Santa Barbara County as he did here in San Bernardino. Mark has been a great
partner in our efforts to deliver public safety. He has been at the forefront
of progress, innovating services and collaboration between our departments.”
The
County will make an announcement about the future leadership of the San
Bernardino County Fire Protection District at some point prior to February 15th.
“It
has been my honor to lead such a talented and distinguished team of men and
women. They have accomplished more than I ever imagined was possible,” Chief
Mark Hartwig said. “County Fire is well positioned to address future
opportunities and challenges.”