Also serving the communities of De Luz, Rainbow, Camp Pendleton, Pala and Pauma

CDF welcomes new battalion chief

SAN DIEGO COUNTY — Monday, November 20, was the first day back home for Ned Francis Nickerson, the newly appointed battalion chief for the Red Mountain Battalion. Nickerson replaces Rich Bolton, who recently retired after more than 30 years with the California Department of Forestry (CDF).

Nickerson brings over 27 years of service to the job; he started his career in San Diego on June 20, 1977, as a seasonal firefighter. After two fire seasons, he accepted a permanent assignment to the now disbanded Orange Ranger Unit as a fireman, where he worked until 1980.

Nickerson reinstated to the CDF Riverside Unit in 1982. In 1984, he returned to San Diego Unit when he was promoted to engineer. In 1987 he transferred to the Red Mountain Battalion, where he stayed until he was advanced to fire crew captain in July 1989.

In 1998 he transferred to Riverside County, where he flew Helitack and worked at the Elsinore station, the Emergency Command Center and Moreno Valley. In 2002 he was promoted to battalion chief, where he supervised the Menifee Battalion and served as the City of Canyon Lake’s fire chief until his recent return.

Nickerson stated, “I wouldn’t trade the experience of the various work assignments, but it’s good to be back home!”

 

Reader Comments(0)

 
 
Rendered 03/12/2024 14:55