The city has tapped Greg Benson, a former fire chief with more than 35 years of public safety experience, to serve as the head of the Victorville Fire Department, officials said Wednesday.
Benson will oversee the city’s underway transition from San Bernardino County Fire to its own agency. He is expected to begin April 23.
The choice comes after conclusion of a nationwide search for a top official. A native of Illinois, Benson most recently oversaw the formation of the Fox River and Countryside Fire Protection District in Illinois, serving as the fire chief there for five years.
City officials said his experience leading the establishment of a new department and his focus on community engagement were major factors in their decision.