Wildfire County Coordinator


Safeguarding San Bernardino: Our Community's Wildfire Defense

Welcome to our collective effort to enhance wildfire preparedness in San Bernardino County. Led by Laura Dyberg and Justin Merino, and supported by the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District, this program is our bold stride toward mitigating wildfire risks, fostering community resilience, and ensuring the safety of our homes and natural environments. Together, we're building a stronger, safer future for San Bernardino County.

A Collaborative Effort for a Safer Community

The San Bernardino Wildfire County Coordinator Program, facilitated by the California Fire Safe Council (CFSC) and significantly supported by the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District, embodies a concerted effort to enhance our community's resilience against wildfires. This initiative underscores the power of strategic collaboration and community engagement to safeguard our county from wildfire threats.

Our Mission

Guided by grant recipient Mt. Rim Fire Safe Council with oversight by the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District, the program's mission is centered around:

  • Comprehensive Census: Mapping out all active wildfire mitigation groups within San Bernardino County to unify efforts for wildfire response and prevention.

  • Strategic Analysis: Conducting thorough assessments of the county’s wildfire resilience and emergency preparedness to identify and bridge critical gaps.

  • Outreach Enhancement: Crafting and implementing strategies to boost communication and coordination among stakeholders for a unified wildfire mitigation approach.

Part of a larger statewide initiative spearheaded by CFSC and supported by CAL FIRE, this program aims to deliver adaptable, community-centric solutions throughout California​​​​.

Your County Coordinators

Laura Dyberg (Mt. Rim Fire Safe Council) and Justin Merino (Desert Region Fire Safe) are at the helm as San Bernardino County's Wildfire County Coordinators. Tasked with the program's goals, they are responsible for:

  • Facilitating communication between local/state entities, community groups, and stakeholders.

  • Leading community-based education, preparedness, and engagement efforts.

  • Guiding the update and implementation of the Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP), which outlines prevention and mitigation strategies.

  • Laura is a key figure in wildfire prevention in the San Bernardino region, serving as President of the Mountain Rim Fire Safe Council (MRFSC) and founder of the Inland Empire Fire Safe Alliance (IEFSA). Her leadership at MRFSC has spearheaded numerous wildfire preparedness programs, earning the council the 2023 Platinum Seal of Transparency from Candid. The IEFSA, established in 2003, focuses on unifying fire safe councils to promote fire safety, facilitate grant management, and act as a resource hub. This alliance works towards fire-safe communities in collaboration with various governmental and environmental partners​​​​.

    For further details, you can visit the Mountain Rim Fire Safe Council website.

  • Justin's career is marked by significant contributions to emergency services and wildfire prevention. With a foundation as an army veteran, and wildland firefighter, Justin has extensive experience in emergency response. His expertise extends to serving as a USCG Medic & civilan EMT, where he honed skills crucial for immediate medical intervention in crises. Currently, he leads the High Desert Emergency Action Alliance (HDEAA) as Director. He holds the position of IEFSA Strategic Operations Director, focusing on enhancing wildfire preparedness and resilience among communities in San Bernardino County. Through these roles, Justin emphasizes the critical importance of preparedness, advocating for strategies such as defensible space, fire-resistant landscaping, and comprehensive emergency planning

Our Approach

With an understanding of San Bernardino County's distinct landscape and needs, our coordinators employ a flexible, inclusive, and progress-oriented approach. The program is built upon partnership, adaptability, and continuous improvement principles, aiming to integrate a broad spectrum of perspectives into the wildfire discussion​​.

Connect With Us

For those interested in learning more about the Wildfire County Coordinator Program in San Bernardino or looking to contribute to our community's wildfire safety efforts, we invite you to connect directly with Laura Dyberg and Justin Merino. Please click the "Contact Us" button below to reach out to your county coordinators. Your involvement is critical to enhancing the preparedness and resilience of our communities against wildfires.

By uniting our efforts, we can significantly improve our collective response to wildfires, making San Bernardino County a safer place for everyone.