San Bernardino County Fire promotes, appoints new fire chiefs

San Bernardino County Fire Chief Dan Munsey recently announced the promotion of Battalion Fire Chief Kelly Anderson to assistant chief of the North Desert and the appointment of Assistant Fire Chief Martin Serna.

Anderson will oversee fire, rescue and emergency medical response in the Division 5 region of the county, said Munsey.

Chief Anderson fills the vacancy left by Assistant Chief Dave Corbin, who is retiring after serving 33 years in the fire service.

Corbin is proud to have dedicated his entire career to serving the citizens of SBC, fire officials said.

“Chief Anderson has demonstrated strong leadership and operational skills that are needed to meet the mission of the Fire District,” Munsey said. “With over 23 years of experience in the fire service, she brings a wealth of institutional knowledge to the North Desert region and its communities.”

Chief Anderson began her career in 1994 as a Fire Explorer in Hesperia. She was hired as a limited-term firefighter in 1999 and promoted three years later to full-time status and as a firefighter/paramedic.

Anderson has served throughout the ranks and was promoted to Battalion Chief in 2015 when she was assigned to the North Desert Division.

Her responsibilities have included the oversight of the Ambulance Operator program as well as the Fire Corps volunteer program.

“It’s an honor to serve the North Desert. I love the High Desert and its uniqueness. I was born and raised in the City of Hesperia, went to school there and it’s where I began my journey in the fire service,” Anderson said. “I look forward to working with our partnering agencies as we continue to look for ways to further enhance our fire, rescue and EMS services.”

The North Desert Division is one of the most challenging and demanding geographic areas within SBC, with hundreds of thousands traveling the major highways through its vast deserts.

This division serves the cities of Adelanto and Hesperia. On the division’s northern boundary are the Inyo and Kern county lines, and its eastern boundary is the state of Nevada.

Anderson continues to live in the High Desert, along with her three boys. They enjoy outdoor activities and most of all, just spending time together.

Assistant Chief Martin Serna

Dan Munsey also announced the appointment of Assistant Fire Chief Martin Serna, who comes to SBC Fire after serving 29 years with the Torrance Fire Department.

Serna rose through the ranks to fire chief, a position he has held for the past six years, according to Munsey.

“Chief Serna brings with him a wealth of knowledge in the fire service,” Munsey said. “We are confident in his abilities and expertise to help support and advance the department moving forward.”

Serna has a bachelor of science degree in Fire Science (Cum Laude) from Columbia Southern University and attended the Senior Executives in State and Local Government program at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.

Serna served as president of the Los Angeles Area Fire Chiefs Association for two years and the South Bay Fire Chiefs Association for four years.

He is currently the president of the South Bay Police and Fire Memorial Foundation.

Serna has successfully developed and implemented strategic plans and department reorganizations, and also established leadership development programs.

During his time as fire chief with Torrance, the department became an International Accredited Fire Department and retained a Class 1 ISO rating.

Through Serna’s leadership, the TFD also established a Basic Life EMS transportation program.

“I’m humbled to be part of such a diverse and dynamic fire department,” Chief Serna said. “I look forward to utilizing my skills and experience in strengthening our partnership with the communities we serve and accomplishing the goals of the department.”

Chief Serna and his wife, Maria, have four grown children. The family enjoys camping and spending time together outdoors.

Daily Press reporter Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at 760-951-6227 or RDeLaCruz@VVDailyPress.com. Follow him on Twitter @DP_ReneDeLaCruz.

This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: San Bernardino County Fire promotes, appoints new fire chiefs