Stay ConnectedThis is the official podcast of the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District. This is the official channel for public information and updates. During major emergency situations, we may use this podcast to keep our citizens updated and safe.
Questions: info@sbcfire.org or (909) 387-5974
Copyright: © San Bernardino County Fire
We’re back with Episode 9 of the San Bernardino County Fire PIO Podcast!
Host Captain Shawn Millerick and the team continue the mission to inform, educate, and entertain.
In this episode:
Host Shawn Millerick checks in from Mount Vernon, Virginia, but the focus is on San Bernardino County Fire’s recent Tesla First Responder Training at the ARFF Training Center. Firefighters spent two days learning how to safely handle Tesla vehicles, batteries, and solar systems in real world emergencies.
Shawn interviews Victor from Tesla, who shares his journey from electrician to Tesla’s Codes and Standards team, along with behind the scenes stories from installing Solar Roofs for VIPs including Elon Musk to developing training tools like VR simulations for first responders.
Plus, the Joke of the Day, This Day in History, and Tech Corner featuring safety resources for firefighters.
Links Mentioned in the Episode:
We’re back with Episode 8 of the San Bernardino County Fire PIO Podcast!
Host Captain Shawn Millerick and the team continue the mission to inform, educate, and entertain.
In this episode:
From San Bernardino International Airport, Captain Jay Dimoff of Station 233 shares his 26-year fire service journey and how his ties to San Felipe, Mexico inspired decades of cross-border donations of fire engines, ambulances, and equipment.
The team also dives into the behind the scenes logistics of getting retired rigs across the border, the role of community groups like the Fontana Rotary, and why outfitting firefighters with the right tools is more than just equipment, it is about dignity and service.
Captain Trent Blanchard from Station 71 calls in to talk Tech Corner, where he breaks down the evolution from hydraulic “line tools” to battery powered extrication gear and why this change matters on scene.
Plus, the Joke of the Day, This Day in History, and San Bernardino County Fun Facts.
Links Mentioned in the Episode:
We’re back with Episode 7 of the San Bernardino County Fire PIO Podcast!
Host Captain Shawn Millerick and the team continue the mission to inform, educate, and entertain.
In this episode:
Division Chief Jim Topoleski joins the crew to share his fire service origin story, his decades-long career path through Redlands and Cal Fire, and his perspective on why San Bernardino County Fire offers “a firefighter’s dream” with its scope of calls, tools, and opportunities.
The team dives into incident management teams, why they matter, how SBCoFD is building capacity for the future, and how any firefighter, regardless of rank, can get involved in complex incident response.
Special guest Ryan Vaccaro calls in with a South Desert update, covering Joshua Tree rescues, Miracle League baseball for kids with disabilities, and progress on the long-awaited Station 41 rebuild.
Plus, the Joke of the Day, This Day in History, a quick Tech Corner spotlight on lightning detection systems rolling out across the county, and updates from our fire crews.
Links Mentioned in the Episode:
We’re back with Episode 6 of the San Bernardino County Fire PIO Podcast!
Host Captain Shawn Millerick and the team continue the mission to inform, educate, and entertain.
In this episode:
Deputy Fire Marshal Adam Panos is joined by EMS Division Chief Mike O'Bier and Fuels Specialist Jarrod Dowden. Together, they highlight recent fire incidents, community safety concerns, and behind-the-scenes coordination efforts.
The crew discusses the importance of the weekly Situation Report and how staff and the public can access updates through Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and department email links.
Technology takes the spotlight, with insights on extended reality for firefighter training, wireless radio innovations, and upcoming demonstrations of cutting-edge thermal imaging equipment at the Training Center.
The team also reflects on the 9/11 memorial beam now permanently installed in Fontana, department fleet updates, and the continued push for EMS preceptors.
Plus, you’ll hear the return of “This Day in History,” and a look at how San Bernardino County Fire is preparing for the future with its strategic and technology plans.
Links Mentioned in the Episode:
We’re back with Episode 5 of the San Bernardino County Fire PIO Podcast! Host Captain Shawn Millerick and team continue the mission to inform, educate, and entertain.
In this episode:
Links Mentioned in the Episode:
We’re back with Episode 4 of the San Bernardino County Fire PIO Podcast! Host Captain Shawn Millerick and team continue the mission to inform, educate, and entertain.
In this episode:
Links Mentioned in the Episode:
We’re back with Episode 3 of the San Bernardino County Fire PIO Podcast! Host Captain Shawn Millerick and team continue the mission to inform, educate, and entertain, and this time with dirt still on their boots after returning straight from a San Bernardino fire.
In this episode:
Links Mentioned in the Episode:
Episode 2 heads to the mountains as host Shawn Millerick covers the 1,069-acre Gold Fire, the Blue Envelope program with K9 handler Shawn Reiss, cutting-edge fire robotics with Jeff Alexy, and arson investigations with Brian Headley. We also dive into fireworks busts, exclusive Tesla training for SBCoFD, and a few surprise guests.
In our very first episode of the San Bernardino County Fire Connection Podcast, host PIO Shawn Millerick welcomes listeners to the new Tippecanoe HQ studio . He’s joined by Division Chief Joe Barna to cover everything from analytics, staffing, and apparatus updates to insight on strike teams, hand crews, and what the County Duty Chief (CDC) role really means. Plus, updates from stations 164 and 96, and the story behind that “intense” circus fire joke.
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