About

Mission

The mission statement of the Imperial County Fire department and Office of Emergency Services is to enhance the quality of life, environment, and safety of our community in an atmosphere of courtesy, integrity, and quality service. The strength of this organization will ultimately resolve itself into the strength of the individuals composing it. Therefore, it is necessary that all members place before them the ideal of the best service to the citizenry and then strive diligently to serve that ideal.

Vision

It is the vision of Imperial County Fire Department to continue to be identified as an all-hazards, all-risk public service provider by producing highly trained, customer service oriented firefighters, and developing a department which aligns with the strategic plan of the Imperial County.

Strategic Goals

Provide service that holds true to the Mission Statement of the Imperial County Fire Department, an overall mission of providing high quality customer service and emergency response to all citizens.

Continue to develop, maintain, and implement Public Safety programs for making the community resilient from both natural and man-made disasters.

Maintain and ensure Imperial County Fire Department is fiscally sustainable.

Develop and maintain training, recruitment, health and wellness, apparatus, and equipment programs that reflect local, State, and Federal standards and recommendations.

Operations

Each of the three shifts is supervised by an on-duty Battalion Chief, who can be reached 24/7 at 442-265-3010.

Battalion Chief

A-Shift Supervisor

Christian Guzman

Battalion Chief

B-Shift Supervisor

Hector Garcia

Battalion Chief

C-Shift Supervisor

Oscar Robles

Imperial County Fire Chief

David Lantzer

Fire Chief David Lantzer began his fire service career in 1987 as a Reserve Firefighter in Holtville, truly honing his skills in Calexico from 1990 to 2004 in roles ranging from Firefighter/Paramedic and Acting Engineer to Captain. Returning to Holtville as Fire Chief in 2004, then moving to Hermosa Beach in 2008, Lantzer continued his leadership as Fire Chief before joining Murrieta Fire & Rescue as Deputy Chief in 2015. Promotion to Fire Chief followed in July 2019. Retirement came in October 2021, but the call to serve brought him back in August 2023 as Fire Chief/OES Coordinator.

A Master’s in Public Administration from San Diego State University and a Bachelor’s from California State University, Long Beach, anchor Lantzer’s academic background. Additional credentials include graduation from the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer Program, the Los Angeles Fire Department Leadership Academy (West Point curriculum), and recognition as a credentialed Chief Fire Officer through the Commission on Professional Credentialing. Over the past 13 years, work as an Accreditation Peer Assessor (and team leader the last four years) for the Commission on Fire Accreditation International has helped guide agencies—including Murrieta Fire & Rescue in 2017—toward accredited status.

Leadership experience extends to serving as President of the Imperial Valley Fire Chiefs Association, as well as Secretary for both the Los Angeles Area and Riverside County Fire Chiefs Associations.

Married to his soulmate Juana for 34 years, Lantzer enjoys time with their two sons—one a former Marine Corps member now working as a contractor with the USMC, the other serving in the US Army—and four grandchildren. The family’s 12-year-old miniature poodle, Jake, still rules the house.