Murrieta Fire and Rescue welcomed their ninth Fire Chief in the Department’s 72-year history last month with the pinning of 32-year veteran firefighter David Lantzer. Chief Lantzer stepped into his new role after four years as Murrieta’s Deputy Fire Chief working alongside former Chief Scott Ferguson who retired in July.
“I am thrilled to continue collaborating with the great team that we’ve assembled over the past few years,” Lantzer explains, “And I’m glad to lead the Department as we move forward with a myriad of important new programs and services that will allow us to keep up with changing technology, address deferred maintenance and invest in top quality services for our community.”
With the help of the City’s new one-cent sales tax, Measure T, Murrieta Fire and Rescue will soon be implementing 12 additional positions, adding two Medic Patrol units, an emergency medical dispatching (EMD) program, and Pulse Point mapping to improve responses to cardiac events. A new Type 1 engine will arrive in early 2020, outdated apparatus will be replaced, and facilities will benefit from deferred maintenance.
Lantzer explains how he embraces the responsibility that comes with major department investments.
“The community has shown confidence in us with the passage of Measure T. They recognize the importance of City services–and public safety in particular. That vote speaks volumes, and we will deliver.”
Prior to joining Murrieta in 2015, Lantzer was Fire Chief for the City of Hermosa Beach. Over the course of his career he was Fire Chief for the City of Holtville and Fire Captain for the City of Calexico. But it’s Murrieta, he says, that immediately felt like home. And that, he shares, is because of the people.
“There’s a cohesion you see with emergency responders and military personnel because of the nature of their jobs. For us, that cohesion includes support staff and even residents. We sincerely care about each other and our community.”
Lantzer lives in Murrieta with his wife of 30 years, Juana. They have two grown sons, one serving in the US Army based in Colorado and a Marine Corp. veteran working at Camp Pendleton.
Learn more about Murrieta Fire and Rescue and read more about upcoming Department improvements at www.murrietaca.gov/fire.