Pasadena’s New Fire Chief Sworn In at City Hall Ceremony

Pasadena’s new Fire Chief was sworn in during a City Hall ceremony Friday.

Chief Bertral Washington took the oath of office from City Clerk Mark Jomsky in the Council Chambers on Friday, and was officially pinned by his wife, Cheri.

Afterward, Chief Washington handed a bouquet of flowers to his wife, thanked her for her support and jokingly wished her a Happy Valentine’s Day.

Vice Mayor Jacque Robinson, City Manager Michael Beck, Department of Libraries & Information Services Director Jan Sanders and other government officials attended the ceremony.

Chief Washington was named Fire Chief last November, succeeding former Chief Calvin E. Wells.

Chief Washington comes from the Clark County Fire Department in Nevada, where he has been Fire Chief since November 2010. Clark County serves a diverse metropolitan community of about 900,000 residents, including the unincorporated areas around Las Vegas and one of the nation’s busiest airports. Prior to serving as Clark County’s Fire Chief, he worked for Las Vegas Fire and Rescue moving through the ranks as a firefighter, paramedic, training officer, Captain, Battalion Chief and Assistant Chief.

“Chief Washington’s collaborative leadership style, his experience leading a complex organization and professional training made him the top choice,” City Manager Michael J. Beck said at the time he announced Washington’s appointment.

Chief Washington said returning to Southern California and working for Pasadena “is a dream come true for my family and me.”

“I am honored to become part of the City of Pasadena family, one of the most esteemed cities in the nation. I look forward to serving all of the residents, businesses and visitors with the highly regarded men and women of the Pasadena Fire Department and working with the community wherever we can to enhance our City in a variety of ways,” Chief Washington said.

Chief Washington has a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, a bachelor’s degree in political science with a minor in English from Howard University and an associate’s degree in fire science management from the College of Southern Nevada. He is married to Cheri Washington and has a son, Chandler, 13, and a daughter, Blaire, 11.