San Bernardino County Fire: PIO Podcast

Host Captain Shawn Millerick is joined by Ryan in studio and Battalion Chief Jeff Allen, Captain Brian Agrelius, Captain George Tom, and Jeff Alexy to inform, educate, and entertain with updates from across the district.

Battalion Chief Jeff Allen – I-15 Corridor & Dumont Dunes
Chief Allen discusses improvements along the I-15 corridor, including staffing increases at Station 52 and ongoing station remodel work. He also outlines the department’s application for a California OHV Education and Safety Grant to support seasonal staffing at Dumont Dunes and highlights trends in OHV activity.

Captain Brian Agrelius – USAR & IMAS Deadlines
Captain Agrelius explains the Regional Task Force deployment model, recent mobilizations, and the importance of uploading certifications into IMAS before the July 1, 2027 deadline to maintain USAR qualification status.

Captain George Tom – Station 76 & Company Officer Series
Captain Tom provides an update on Station 76 planning, upcoming apparatus deliveries, and the transition to the new State Fire Training Company Officer Series, including key completion deadlines.

Jeff Alexy – Skyebrowse & VR Training
Jeff Alexy shares how Skyebrowse technology is being used to create 3D models of incidents and integrate them into virtual reality environments for training, post-incident review, and future officer testing scenarios.

Closing
The episode concludes with final updates from the studio and the traditional Joke of the Day.

Host Captain Shawn Millerick is in the studio with in studio guest Firefighter/Paramedic Ryan Wonders. The team talks about the Drone Volt demo. The episode also includes a Black History Month segment led by Captain Kenny White, covering career milestones, mentorship, representation, and the department’s ongoing efforts to highlight cultures throughout the year.

Drone Volt in the Field
Shawn talks with Grant and William from Drone Volt during a department demo. They share company background, where Drone Volt is based, and where the team is operating globally. The conversation includes an overview of multiple aircraft and use cases, including camera payloads with optical zoom and infrared, heavy lift applications, and an eVTOL platform with longer duration and onboard capabilities.

Captain Kenny White
Shawn calls Captain Kenny White to discuss a recent large incident response, how conditions and expectations can shift quickly, and how previous experience at a location can help guide safer decision making. Kenny also reflects on joining the department in 2005, progressing through the ranks with the support of mentors and peers, and shares perspective during Black History Month on learning that the promotion was a department milestone, the importance of mentorship and representation, and how cultural highlights through the Diversity Committee and social media aim to build connection and encourage future firefighters.

AI Ryan, QR Ryan, Real Ryan and the Joke of the Day
QR Ryan, AI Ryan, and an appearance by Real Ryan close out the show with the Joke of the Day and a rabbit trail about smoked tri-tip and pasta.

Links Mentioned in this Episode
Handwritten note from Ryan to Shawn and Ben

Host Captain Shawn Millerick is back in the studio with Bobby, Ben, Rosalie and a surprise cameo from Captain Eric Sherwin to inform, educate, and entertain while somehow keeping Bobby from hunting ducks long enough to hit record. Expect station banter, department wins, a deep dive into prevention, and a field segment that puts you inside a massive commercial drill.

Studio Kickoff Duck Hunting Dad Energy and Big Wins for the District

The episode opens with pure chaos as Bobby nearly scares off dinner before the crew settles in to celebrate a major milestone. The department’s communications and outreach efforts are paying off in a big way. Ben breaks down the numbers with impressions and engagement climbing fast and the team talks about how that growth translates to real impact.

Black History Month Why It Matters

In a This Day in History style segment the crew recognizes Black History Month where it came from why it exists and how the show will spotlight more history and voices throughout February.

Featured Interview Deputy Fire Marshal Tom Strong Community Safety Side of the House

Shawn sits down with Deputy Fire Marshal Tom Strong to pull back the curtain on the Fire Marshal’s Office. They talk about what the office does, how big the operation really is, and why community safety touches more of the county than most people realize. Tom shares his 35 year career journey including time with the Sheriff’s Department and search and rescue his early days as a paid call firefighter and what the bark beetle program looked like when it ramped up in the mountains.

Tech Corner GIS ESRI AI and the Future of Inspections

Tom and Shawn get into modernization efforts including digital surveys GIS mapping and how AI may support plan checks and inspections. The conversation gets especially futuristic when they talk about smart glasses that can identify violations as you walk a building plus AI assisted drone and satellite imagery that could change everything from weed abatement to damage assessment.

Security Breadcrumbs and County Vehicle Reality Checks

The crew also covers what keeps headquarters secure including cameras armed security and the arson unit plus a practical reminder that county vehicles track more than people think. Speeding over certain thresholds can trigger notifications up the chain.

Special Events Fireworks Interdictions Raves and Behind the Scenes Planning

Tom shares some of his favorite operations including illegal fireworks interdictions special events and the surprising truth about rave crowds. Tom and Bobby talk about the massive amount of pre planning that goes into festivals and concerts including temporary mini cities mapped for EMS response.

In the Field Warehouse Drill at a Million Plus Square Foot Facility

The episode shifts to an on scene interview during a large commercial occupancy drill inside a massive warehouse. Battalion Chiefs Eric Spies and Steve Tracy explain what the drill is testing what is being learned and how this kind of training improves policy tactics and equipment before more familiar banter returns including the eternal question is lunch provided.  Thank you to Erin Bearden of MGA Entertainment for hosting our training at their warehouse and showing us around!

Joke of the Day Trail Mix Violence

To close it out Shawn attempts a nut themed joke and Ryan delivers an absolutely ruthless roast that may be the strongest command decision making heard all episode.
As always stay safe take care of each other and thanks for listening 🎙️

Links Mentioned in this Episode

Office of the Fire Marshal Special Events Video

Host Captain Shawn Millerick is back in the studio (and out in the field) to inform, educate, and entertain with Episode 24 of the PIO Podcast—alongside Bobby and Kyle for another round of station talk, real-world interviews, and classic dad-joke chaos.

Studio Updates: Mercury Warnings, Promotions, and a “Secret” Deployment Drill
The crew kicks things off with a strange sight at the Bloomington post office—an official warning to not mail mercury—and the inevitable rabbit hole that follows. From there, Shawn shares department updates including the latest on testing and interviews, solid participation in the captain’s exam process, and a first-of-its-kind surprise drill simulating a California Regional Task Force 6 deployment. Tower 20 gets a shoutout too, with training content getting love from California State training.

MLK Day Reflections & Memphis History
In a thoughtful segment, the guys reflect on Martin Luther King Jr. Day with two standout “did you know?” moments—plus a powerful discussion about visiting the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis and how immersive history can change perspective.

In the Field: Captain Justin Weber on Culture, Retention, and Finding Your Place
Shawn catches up with Captain Justin Weber (newly assigned and newly promoted) for a wide-ranging conversation that starts with hilarious rumors—passport theft, last names, and car-washing allegations—and turns into an honest story about upbringing, identity, and why he’s all-in on County Fire. Weber breaks down why retention matters, what makes the department unique, and how treating people like humans (even on probation) is a core part of the culture worth protecting.

Aviation Spotlight: Alpine Rescue Training from the Top of the Tower
Next, Shawn heads to the top of the Richard Sewell training tower with Aviation’s Mike Demoff, who explains the growing, more formalized rescue training program designed to keep crews safe in alpine and mountain environments. Mike shares how the program evolved after a tragic incident, why policy + training matters, and how other agencies are now taking notice and asking to learn from the model.

“This Day in History” & Joke of the Day
The episode wraps with a lighter touch: Guy Fieri’s birthday gets a “firehouse TV” shoutout, followed by some truly committed dad/son acting and a groaner of a joke about trees… being shady.
As always: stay safe, take care of each other, and thanks for listening. 🎙️

Links Mentioned in this Episode⁠MLK Speech Kept by Body Guard for Decades News Story⁠⁠C⁠⁠lip from Bobby's Motown Documentary Highlighting the Motown Recording of "I Have a Dream" Speech⁠
⁠Aviation Technical Team Training Video featuring Original Composed Music by Shawn Millerick⁠

We’re back with Episode 15 of the San Bernardino County Fire PIO Podcast! 
Host Captain Shawn Millerick and the team continue the mission to inform, educate, and entertain.
 
Division 2’s Living History
Batallion Chief Mike McClintock drops by with a treasure trove of vintage photos dating back to the late 1800s—including relics from when the city’s fire department began in 1878.

Learn how crews are digitizing and preserving the department’s archives for use in new station foyers, blending old-school pride with modern design.

Hear how the new Station 227 project and a new ladder truck for Station 221 are bringing fresh energy to Division 2.

HR at the Heart of the Fire Service
Crystal Perez, HR Business Partner, joins the show to break down how the county is reimagining human resources—from disciplinary myths to genuine partnership.

Discover how HR now supports succession planning, recruitment, and leadership growth, not just compliance.

Get the inside scoop on the County Wellness Program, complete with on-site massages, healthy lunches, and a focus on whole-employee well-being.

Crystal also shares her leadership paper, “The Kitchen Table as a Command Post,” and explains how she’s learning the unique 24-hour firehouse culture firsthand.

Desert Operations: Fire & Rescue at Dumont Dunes
Battalion Chief Steve Tracy calls in to discuss County Fire’s presence at Dumont Dunes, where tens of thousands of off-road enthusiasts gather each year.

Hear how crews manage medical calls, dust storms, and 50,000 people in the middle of the Mojave.

From burn injuries to air rescues, discover how County Fire keeps order in a scene that one guest calls “Mad Max meets Burning Man.”

Chief Tracy also shares lessons learned about logistics, safety, and training opportunities for younger paramedics.

Division 2’s new truck 221 and upcoming Station 227 mark major growth for the district.

County Fire celebrates digitization of historic archives, preserving more than a century of service history.

HR introduces new wellness initiatives at the Fire Admin building—proving that self-care isn’t just for civilians.

PIO’s Tech Corner explores how data collection and after-action reports help improve future dune deployments—covering staffing, logistics, and how to adapt fire response for a mobile desert city.
Sean: “What do you call a sandstorm at the dunes? Nature’s way of exfoliating your engine.”
Crystal: “And your HR file, if you forget to wear goggles!”