Fire Chief Mike Hatfield

I was born in Chinon, France. While growing up, I lived on several military bases in France, Germany and the United States. I have been married for thirty-three years to Kristi. We have a daughter and a son and three grandsons.

Thirty-six years ago, I began my career in the Fire Service as a volunteer fire fighter with the Banning Fire Department in California progressing to my present position with Jerome. When I first entered the Fire Service, I worked as a seasonal employee with the USDA Forest Service as a pumper crewperson one season and a hotshot/helishot for a second season.  At the same time, I volunteered with the Banning Fire Department.  Eventually, I progressed to the rank of Captain.  During that time, I rewrote the Department Operations Manual and introduced the Department to the California State Hazardous Materials requirements as well as served on an ad hoc committee with the Riverside County Fire Department to develop a Regional Hazardous Materials Response Program.

After ten years with the Banning Fire Department, I took a Lieutenant’s position with the Loma Linda Department of Public Safety.  I was promoted to the rank of Division Chief in charge of operations and also assisted the department by forming a Fire Fighters Association.  The Association brought together the career and paid call fire fighters for the common good contributing to community events and fundraisers. My administrative duties included the following: operations, staffing, equipment specification, budgeting, discipline/motivation, hazardous materials training/response, and disaster preparedness which included starting and maintaining a R.A.C.E.S. program.  Also, during this time, I became a member of Rotary International, served as a board member with the Loma Linda Chamber of Commerce and served on the Board of Directors for the Loma Linda Ronald McDonald House which included chairing and assisting with a one-day fundraiser “Relay for Kids” that made over $150,000. Additionally, I became the president of the San Bernardino County Emergency Managers Association and wrote the City’s Emergency Operations Plan which facilitated response and recovery efforts from floods, fires and earthquakes. Finally, I assisted the San Bernardino County Hazardous Materials response team by filing a non-profit corporation status with the state for the multi-agency team.

Eventually, I relocated in California and served as a Division Chief/Fire Marshal for the Cathedral City Fire Department.  I was responsible for fire prevention, plan check, code enforcement, hazardous materials response and disaster preparedness. In these capacities, I managed the City Fire Prevention Bureau, and the Code Enforcement Division which included: construction plan check, construction inspection, and management of the Department’s Life Safety/Code Enforcement officers whom enforce the City Municipal Code.  Included in my role, I managed administrative support with: budgeting for the Fire Prevention and Code Enforcement Divisions, disaster preparedness and hazardous materials response as well as managed various grants for the department. Additionally, I performed as the primary fire investigator for the Department. Finally, I managed and coordinated emergency preparedness activities and training with City staff and I was responsible for updating the City Emergency Operations Plan, which I rewrote to conform to the National Incident Management System (NIMS) guidelines.

I am a Master Instructor for the State of California Fire Service and a Hazardous Materials Instructor for the State. Additionally, I have an Associates of Science in Fire Science from Mt. San Jacinto College, a Bachelors of Science in Business Administration and Management as well as a Master’s Degree in Management from the University of Redlands. My education has specifically prepared me in the area of developing learning organizations and creating resiliency. By incorporating the motivations encountered with a young modern workforce whose work ethics differ from those of past generations, an organization can capitalize on the benefits of a varied workforce. This fact will insure that our Fire Department stays alive and thrives.