Deputy Fire Chief Dan Wurl to Succeed Pat Dennen as Fire Chief for San Bernardino County Fire Department
June 16, 2010 by Catherine Sandstrom
Filed under Current News, Fire/Safety, Government
New County Fire Chief Dan Wurl
San Bernardino County, CA – Long-time Assistant and Deputy Fire Chief Dan Wurl has been appointed as the new Fire Chief for the San Bernardino County Fire Department, assuming command from just-retired Fire Chief Pat Dennen, a Big Bear High School graduate who began his 36-year career as a firefighter as a volunteer with the Big Bear City Fire Department. Dennen’s successor Wurl also started his career as a volunteer firefighter, and has worked his way through the ranks in a 36-year career, which included a 2001 appointment as Assistant Fire Chief for San Bernardino County Fire. During this time, Fire Chief Wurl played a leading role in the formation of the Mountain Area Safety Task Force, and assisted in the merging of 27 separate fire districts to form what is now County Fire, which provides fire protection services to five cities and 65 unincorporated communities; Wurl also served as the Unified Incident Commander during the 2003 Grand Prix Fire. The County’s Administrative Officer Greg Devereaux appointed Wurl to his new post, given his unique knowledge of the department’s organizational and finance structure–noting also, that with fire season approaching, Wurl could immediately take the reins without enduring a learning curve. In a statement from the County’s new Fire Chief Dan Wurl, he says, “I take great pride in County Fire and relish the opportunity to lead such a group of professionals. I will strive to continue to meet our motto of being a premier fire service.” Wurl and Dede, his wife of 28 years, have two children and reside in Yucaipa.
Related posts:
- San Bernardino County Fire Chief Pat Dennen Announces Retirement; County’s Lead Firefighter Got His Start as Volunteer in Big Bear City
- San Bernardino County Fire Chief Pat Dennen: From BBHS to Leading the State’s Fire Chiefs’ Association
- San Bernardino County Fire Chief (and BBHS Graduate) Pat Dennen Named One of Six Regional Coordinators for State’s OES Department
- Given Threat of Major Earthquake, County Fire Chief Dennen Says, “The Message to the Public Right Now Is That They Should Be Prepared”
- Jeff Willis To Oversee Big Bear Lake Fire Department As Interim Chief
After graduating from BBHS, Catherine moved to Los Angeles to attend Loyola Marymount University. In her 20 years off the mountain, most recently in Manhattan Beach, Catherine's career has included publishing, broadcasting, public relations and public education; she served as KBHR's News Director from April 2007 to July 2010.
