PIO Podcast (11/13/25): Inside the Firehouse, History, HR, and the High Desert
PIO Podcast (11/13/25): Inside the Firehouse, History, HR, and the High Desert  
Podcast: San Bernardino County Fire: PIO Podcast
Published On: Tue Jan 20 2026
Description: 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 HistoryBatallion 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 ServiceCrystal 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 DunesBattalion 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!”