2014/2015 Annual Report | Page 4

MISSION STATEMENT “Community based all risk emergency services organization dedicated to the health and well-being of the citizens of San Bernardino County through a balance of regionalized services delivery and accountability to the local community.” Your Fire Chief Duty, Honor, Community SERVICE MOTTO VISION STATEMENT “Committed to Providing Premier Fire Services” The men and women of County Fire continue to push forward on many fronts. Crest Forest Fire Protection District officially consolidated with the County Fire District on June 30, 2015. Lake Arrowhead and Crest Forest have worked closely together since the mid 1920’s. County Fire is a true melting pot of Board Governed, independent, dependent Fire Districts and City Fire Departments. There are Districts in each Service Zone (Valley, Mountain, North Desert, and South Desert) that have been providing fire, rescue, and EMS for over 75 years. The men and women of County Fire honor the service provided by those that have come before us and we are proud of our diverse and storied past. We stand on the shoulders of firefighters and staff who took the first steps to pool resources in order to provide more effective and cost efficient services to their respective communities throughout the County. District Fire Chiefs such as Bob Hedden (Wrightwood), Jim Laurence (Lake Arrowhead), Joe Reyes (Lucerne Valley), Duane Mellinger (Central Valley) and Clarence Gish (Yucca Valley), envisioned a county fire district that exists today. Fire departments throughout the state are looking for ways to partner with regional neighbors in order to maximize service and efficiency. For those communities looking for options, County Fire offers a sustainable regional solution for fire, rescue and EMS with a focus on local accountability and community involvement. Sustainability and regional stability are achieved through perpetual revenue sources such as property tax and voter-approved special tax assessments. More and more communities in San Bernardino County are inquiring with the local agency formation commission (LAFCO) about the benefits and steps to annexation. The cost to provide fire, rescue, and EMS services, along with retirement and benefit expenses, are rising at a faster pace than revenues in many communities. This increasing disparity is forcing communities to find efficiencies or face potential service reductions. The County Fire Distric