In 2021, the Ontario Fire Department responded to over 22,000 calls for service, approximately 60 calls per day, ranging from medical emergencies to a traffic collisions to large commercial fire.
Ontario Fire Department has 227 personnel comprised of 186 sworn firefighters and 41 professional staff members serving our community across six bureaus – Operations/Airport Services, Fire Prevention, Support Services, EMS, Training and Professional Services, and Administrative Services. An organization chart can be found here, providing more specifics.
Thank you for visiting the Ontario Fire Department website! The Ontario Fire Department has proudly served the community of Ontario for over 125 years. We will respond with properly staffed, well-equipped, and expertly-trained firefighters to service the needs of our community.
Our staff members pride themselves on aligning with our fire department motto of Courtesy, Loyalty, and Service. We are proud of our partnership with the community!
Sincerely,
Raymond J. Gayk
The Ontario Fire Department is a Team committed to professional and compassionate service.
Senior Deputy Chief Ehrman is a Southern California native. Chief Ehrman graduated from Esperanza High School in Anaheim prior to attending Rancho Santiago College and Long Beach State University. He completed paramedic school at Crafton College before serving as a paramedic intern in 1994 at the Ontario Fire Department.
After serving as a Firefighter for the City of Coronado for a couple years, Chief Ehrman was hired at Ontario Fire Department in 1996 where he has been ever since. During his tenure he has served as a Firefighter/Paramedic, Fire Captain, Battalion Chief, Deputy Chief, Fire Marshal, and now as the Senior Deputy Chief of Operations.
Chief Ehrman oversees the Fire Prevention Bureau.
Chief Deputy Gerken grew up in Arcadia where he attended Arcadia High School before attending San Diego State University. Chief Gerken obtained his Bachelor’s degree and was hired by Alhambra Fire Department as a Firefighter in 1996 prior to joining the Ontario Fire Department in 1998. During Chief Gerken’s tenure at Ontario Fire Department he has held positions as Firefighter, Fire Captain, Battalion Chief, Fire Marshal and now Deputy Chief.
Chief Gerken oversees the Operations Bureau.
Deputy Chief McFarlane grew up in Fullerton and graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering. While in attending college, Chief McFarlane worked as a reserve firefighter for both the Cal Poly Fire Department and Pismo Beach Fire Department. Chief McFarlane was hired by Ontario Fire Department in 1997 where he has worked ever since. During Chief McFarlane’s tenure at Ontario Fire Department he has held positions as a Firefighter/Paramedic, Fire Engineer, Fire Captain, Battalion Chief, and now as a Deputy Chief.
Chief McFarlane oversees the Support Services Bureau.
Deputy Chief Wedell grew up in Hacienda Heights where he attended Glen A. Wilson High School before attending California State University, Pomona. While attending college, Chief Wedell worked as a volunteer firefighter for La Habra Heights Fire Department and a reserve firefighter for West Covina Fire Department. Chief Wedell was hired by Palm Springs Fire Department in 2001 where he continued his pursuit for a Bachelor’s Degree graduating from California State University, Long Beach. He was hired by the Ontario Fire Department in 2003 where he has worked ever since. Chief Wedell completed paramedic school at Victor Valley College during his employment with the Ontario Fire Department. During his tenure at Ontario Fire Department he has held positions as a Firefighter, Fire Engineer, Fire Captain, Battalion Chief, and now as a Deputy Chief.
Chief Wedell oversees the Training and Professional Services Bureau.
EMS Director Pamela Martinez grew up in Hesperia before attending nursing school at Victor Valley College and obtaining her Bachelor’s Degree from California State University, Long Beach. Pamela began her nursing career as a Registered Nurse in 1994 and has worked in several emergency departments including Loma Linda University Medical Center & Havasu Regional Medical Center. Pamela also worked as a flight nurse before joining the Chino Valley Fire District as their EMS Coordinator in 2001 and is a member of the medical team at the California Speedway. In 2006, Pamela joined the Ontario Fire Department and has held the positions of Nurse Administrator and now as EMS Director.
Pamela oversees the EMS Bureau.
Fire Administration Director Sagar Patel grew up in Montclair and graduated from UC Irvine with Bachelors Degrees in Sociology and Biological Sciences. After completing his undergraduate studies, he spent two years in Mumbai, India in a post-graduate alternative education program focused on character building through comparative studies of philosophy and religion. After returning from India, he completed a Masters Degree from UC Irvine in Demographics and Social Analysis. He transitioned to working in local government in 2013 and completed his second Masters Degree in Public Administration from the University of Southern California in 2015. He started his career in emergency management and has been a part of several major incidents including wildfires, protests, storms, and the Covid-19 pandemic. Sagar joined the Ontario Fire Department in 2021 and has held the position of Emergency Manager and now as the Fire Administrative Services Director.
Sagar Patel oversees the Administrative Services Bureau.
Please fill out the form at the bottom of this web page, or you can call the Fireworks Hotline at 909.986.6711
Yes, for more information please visit our CPR page.
The household hazardous waste drop off facility is provided for Ontario residents at no charge. It is located at 1430 South Cucamonga Avenue and is open on Fridays and Saturdays from 9 am to 2 pm. For more information, please call 909.395.2040. Additional information can be found on the city's Integrated Waste page, under the 'Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Facility dropdown.
No, but there are local businesses within Ontario that provide this service. Check your local yellow pages.
The Ontario Fire Department does offer Automated External Defibrillator (AED) classes, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) classes, and Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) classes. For more information, please call 909.395.2002.
You may contact Fire Dispatch on their non-emergency phone number at 909.983.5911 for more information.
No, we recommend that you follow the manufacturer's instructions for installation. Additionally, you can contact the CHP and speak with one of their Child Passenger Safety Technicians for more information or assistance.
Station tours have been temporarily suspended.
Please contact the Ontario Municipal Utilities Company at 909.395.2678.
Please contact the Ontario Police Department at 909.395.2001.
Please contact the Inland Valley Humane Society at 909.623.9777.
You may obtain instructions and an application for a meter by calling the Ontario Revenue Services Department. Please contact them at 909.395.4008.
Please contact Fire Administration at 909.395.2002, Monday - Thursday between 7am and 6pm.