IE Business Daily Business news for the Inland Empire.
Ontario has a new fire chief.
Michael Gerken recently replaced Ray Gayk, who retired, according to a statement on the city’s website.
Gerken who has spent nearly three decades in fire service, is Ontario’s 33rd fire chief. He was most recently the city deputy fire chief, where he was in charge of the department’s operations bureau. In that role he oversaw emergency operations, specialty team programs and fire services at Ontario International Airport.
Gayk stepped down after a 33-year career that included service in the Riverside County and Redlands departments. He joined Ontario in 1997 and became chief in 2018, according to the statement.
“We want to express our gratitude to Chief Gayk for his dedicated contributions to our community throughout the years. In his most recent achievement as a key member of the leadership team driving the public-private partnership that will unite various fire and emergency medical services agencies, along with ambulance transport services.” said Mayor Paul Leon in the statement.
