ADMINISTRATION
FROM THE DEPUTY CHIEF
JIM JOHNSTONE
DEPUTY CHIEF
Most of you might be surprised to hear that I love classical symphony music. That is what I listen to
during my daily windshield time ☺. For me, that music represents a strong foundation, tested by
time, yet constantly evolving. It reflects both joyful and sorrowful times. Most importantly, though, is
the extreme teamwork it takes to pull off a great performance—from the conductor that coordinates
all the moving parts to each fine-tuned instrument that must do its part to ensure the group’s
success. To me, County Fire is just like that.
Deputy Chief Jim Johnstone
began his career with the San
Bernardino County Fire Department
in 1985 as a Firefighter Paramedic in
Lake Arrowhead. During his career
with County Fire, Chief Johnstone
has worked his way through the
ranks, promoting to Battalion Chief in
early 2008, Division Chief in August
2011, and Assistant Chief in 2013.
Chief Johnstone has served as
the Technical Rescue Coordinator
for the Mountain Division and as a
Rescue Team Manager on County
Fire’s Regional Taskforce 6. He
is qualified as a Type 2 Operation
Section Chief on US Forest Service
So Cal Incident Management Team
#2. Prior to this position, he served as
a Division/Group Supervisor on this
same management team. He has a
Bachelor of Science Degree from the
University of California Riverside in
Administration.
Chief Johnstone resides in Lake
Arrowhead with his wife Bridgett.
Jim and Bridgett have seven grown
children and three grandchildren.
He and his family enjoy numerous
outdoor activities together.
Deputy Chief Johnstone oversees
Department operations within County
Fire’s 5 geographic Divisions and the
Training/Special Operations Division.
We have deep roots and we are indebted to all those who came before us. Each era making small
steps forward to get us to where we are now. That includes our chiefs, firefighters and support staff
going all the way back to the earliest days of Fontana, Lake Arrowhead, Lucerne Valley, Yucca
Valley and Wrightwood. They did it right, most of the time, and that opened doors for our team to
grow into what it is today with our city contracts and CSA 38 expansion.
I mentioned the sorrowful times. With that, I refer to those we have lost either in the line of
duty or from the day-to day-grind that can stretch us past our limits. We have plenty of those
stories presently and in the past. Fortunately, we have team members who are focused on our
improvement. Captain Kelly Carter is supported and making progress towards getting us an internal
employee assistance program that we believe will help those on the brink seek help for themselves
and their families. Another issue is our staffing shortfalls. We are focused on hiring the best and
brightest to fill fulltime spots, improve engine staffing and reduce force hires. We expect significant
improvement by Thanksgiving.
There are many fine examples of our team exceeding expectations. We receive daily kudos from
our community members about the outstanding service they received from our engine crews
led by a competent, trusted and respected captain. To name a few of the programs that have
shown incredible progress are: PIO, Pipes and Drums, Honor Guard, Residential Assessment
Program (RAP), Crews 40/41/Glen Helen, Fire/Rescue/EMS Helicopter(s), Dozer, USAR, Incident
Management Team Participation and Fire Control 7. We ar