RANCHO CUCAMONGA – Fire Chief Peter Bryan – who led the city Fire Department for five years after heading the fire departments of Norco and Monrovia – has announced his retirement. Bryan, 53, calls it a partial retirement, vowing to remain active with his church and teach fire protection and administration classes at Cal State San Bernardino. Deputy Fire Chief Mike Bell will succeed Bryan on Sept. 12, Bryan’s last day and birthday. Councilman Dennis Michael, a former fire chief who hired Bryan, said the Fire Department grew and improved under Bryan’s leadership.
“He’s the hardest working fire personnel I’ve ever known,” Michael said. “I always saw and believed Peter as one of the sharpest fire official in a multiplicity of disciplines.” Michael said the fire chief is an expert in fire-prevention training and hazardous materials response. The city experienced significant growth during Bryan’s tenure. The increase in property tax revenue gave the Fire Department opportunities to grow alongside the population. In 2005, Bryan presented an update to the strategic plan identifying future needs and goals of the department. Among the goals are new stations in the northwest and central portion of the city. Another goal in the strategic plan is to implement Emergency Medical Dispatch system, which is scheduled to go in effect in December.
City Manager Jack Lam said Bryan was an excellent chief who defined the needs of the future.
“During his tenure, he managed to complete signal preemption program for safety vehicles to improve response times,” Lam said. “He’s revamped how on-the-job injuries are dealt with and reduced workers’ comp. cost over the years. The chief has lots to be proud of.” Born in Orange County and raised in Victorville, Bryan’s fire fighting career began when he became a cadet firefighter in Hesperia while in high school. He entered the fire academy in 1975 and became part of the first group of six permanent firefighters for Victorville. Bryan’s 36-year career spans the cities of Ontario, Upland, Norco and Monrovia. He started with the city in 2001 as battalion chief and was promoted to fire chief in 2004. In his semi-retirement, Bryan said he will do more volunteer work for Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church and spend time with his wife, Linda. The Bryans have two sons and a granddaughter.
Bryan said he will miss working with his fellow employees. “Because every day, you get to work with great people who are really great at what they do because they believe in serving the community,” Bryan said.
Story by: Daily Bulletin
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