David Van Son
Atascadero,CA
Summary
Professional leader and role model with over 37 years of dedicated public service in the firefighting profession, demonstrating a strong commitment to team-oriented success. Expertise includes fire service operations, community risk reduction, public relations, contract negotiations, conflict resolution, and political presentations. Proven ability to foster effective communication within executive leadership teams to establish strategic goals, policies, and collaborative relationships across the organization. Advocate for building beneficial partnerships with management, organized labor, community leaders, and stakeholders to enhance service delivery and community engagement.
Overview
37
37
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Battalion Chief – Community Risk Reduction
Atascadero Fire and Emergency Services
Atascadero, CA
01.2021 - Current
- Secured $1.2 million in grant funding for wildfire fuels mitigation projects through successful grant development and agency coordination.
- Established a comprehensive annual inspection program achieving 100% compliance coverage for schools, hotels, assisted living facilities, and multi-family occupancies.
- Organized three Firewise USA communities, serving as creator and liaison to improve neighborhood wildfire preparedness and resilience.
- Contributed to updates of the Community Wildfire Protection Plan, Emergency Operations Plan, and Multi-Jurisdictional Local Hazard Mitigation Plan.
- Developed and secured adoption of local amendments to the California Fire Code and WUI Code to address community-specific fire hazards.
Secretary Treasurer
Montana State Council of Professional Fire Fighters
Great Falls, MT
07.2002 - 06.2021
- Provided executive leadership and representation for approximately 620 professional firefighters across Montana, advancing organizational priorities and member interests.
- Managed the organization's annual operating budget and financial operations, ensuring fiscal accountability and regulatory compliance.
- Developed and implemented the organization's first line-item, zero-based budget, strengthening financial transparency, planning, and resource allocation.
- Administered payroll, tax reporting, official records, and required filings for the Benevolent Fund and Political Action Committee, ensuring accurate governance and compliance.
- Coordinated scheduling for executive meetings and events, ensuring seamless communication among stakeholders.
Battalion Chief
Great Falls Fire Rescue
Great Falls, MT
01.2017 - 12.2020
- Supervised a fire operations shift of 16 personnel, maintaining operational readiness, accountability, and performance through effective leadership, staffing, and daily work assignments.
- Served as Incident Commander on first-alarm and greater incidents, directing multi-company emergency operations while ensuring life safety, property conservation, environmental protection, and personnel safety.
- Resolved personnel issues, conflicts, and grievances while consistently applying departmental policies, procedures, and labor agreements to support a productive work environment.
- Contributed to department leadership, strategic planning, and operational improvement initiatives through performance analysis, operational research, and resource management.
President
International Association of Fire Fighters Local 8
Great Falls, MT
07.2003 - 12.2020
- Represented and advocated for 64 union members, strengthening labor-management relations through effective communication, conflict resolution, and member representation in disciplinary and grievance proceedings.
- Negotiated seven collective bargaining agreements, securing favorable employment terms while maintaining productive relationships between labor and management.
- Established the organization's first line-item budget in its 102-year history, improving financial accountability, transparency, and long-term fiscal planning.
- Directed community outreach and charitable initiatives that enhanced public engagement and strengthened the organization's presence within the Great Falls community.
Captain
Great Falls Fire Rescue
Great Falls, MT
10.2003 - 01.2017
Fire Fighter/Engineer
Great Falls Fire Rescue
Great Falls, MT
08.1995 - 10.2003
Senior Airman / Firefighter
United States Air Force
02.1992 - 08.1995
Wild Land Fire Fighter/Hot Shot
Santa Barbara County Fire Department
Santa Barbara, CA
05.1989 - 02.1991
Education
Bachelor of Science Degree - Business Administration/Human Resource Management
Columbia Southern University
Orange Beach, AL12-2014
Associate of Applied Science - Fire Science
Columbia Southern University
Orange Beach, AL11-2012
Skills
- Incident command
- Public safety
- Fire prevention
- Emergency communications
- Community relations
- Fire regulations expertise
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Organizational skills
- Emergency planning
Accomplishments
- Received the Elks Lodge of Atascadero Fire Fighter of the Year award 2025
- Established three Firewise Communities within Atascadero within 9 months, with the initial being the first Firewise Community in Atascadero.
- Obtained a 1.2 million dollar grant for the City of Atascadero from the San Luis Obispo County Community Fire Safe Council for fuels mitigation work throughout the City in 2024.
- Earned an Associates of Applied Science Degree and a Bachelor of Arts degree while working full time and raising a family maintaining a 3.88 GPA graduating Magnum Cum Laude
- Received Resolution of Commendation Fire and Rescue Service, City of Great Falls 2014
- Appointed to the Commission of Community Service by the Governor of Montana and served from 2011 to 2014
- Appointed to CASA-CAN Great Falls Board and served from 2008 – 2011
- Received the Exchange Club of Great Falls, MT Fire Fighter of the Year award 2009
- Received Air Force Achievement Medal 1995
- Received Air Force Good Conduct Medal 1995
- Received National Defense Service Award 1992
- Received the Hot Sot of the Year award from Santa Barbara County Fire Department 1991
Affiliations
- International Association of Fire Chiefs – 2021 – present
- California Fire Chiefs Association 2021 – present
- Central Coast Fire Prevention Association 2021 – present
- San Luis Obispo County Community Fire Safe Council 2021 - present
- International Association of Fire Fighters 1995 – present
- Montana State Council of Professional Fire Fighters 1995 – Present
- Montana State Firemen's Association 1995 – 2020
- International Association of Fire Investigators 2019 – 2021
- Fire Department Incident Safety Officer Association 2019 – 2021
Certification
- G191 – ICS/EOC Interface, G775 – EOC Management and Operations, G626E – Essential EOC Action Planning, L0105 – Public Information Basics, CSTI Logistics Training, CSTI Operations Training, EOC Section Intermediate – Management, EOC Section Intermediate – Operations, Hazardous Materials Incident Commander – Pro Board Licensing Agency: CAL OES, Sacramento, CA
- Incident Safety Officer Licensing Agency: Fire Department Incident Safety Officer Association Ann Arbor, MI
- Fire Investigation Technician Licensing Agency: International Association of Arson Investigators, Crofton, MD
- OSHA On Scene Incident Commander Licensing Agency: Safety Compliance Management, Inc., San Ramon, CA
- ICS 100 – Introduction to the Incident Command System; ICS 200- Basic Incident Command for Initial Responders; ICS 300- Intermediate ICS for Expanding Incidents; ICS 400- Advanced Command and General Staff-Complex incidents; ICS 700 – National Incident Management System and Introduction; ICS 800-National Response Framework Licensing Agency: Emergency Management Institute, FEMA
- Command and Control of Incident Operations; Fire/Arson Investigation; Leadership I, II, and III; Managing Company Tactical Ops I, II, and III; Fire Inspection Principles; Incident Safety Officer Licensing Agency: National Fire Academy / US Fire Administration Emmitsburg, MD
- Fire Fighter II; Airport Fire Fighter; Apparatus Driver/Operator Licensing Agency: International Fire Service Accreditation Congress Stillwater, OK
- Fire Protection Specialist Licensing Agency: United States Air Force
- Fire Fighter I; Fire Investigation 1A Licensing Agency: Allen Hancock College Santa Maria, CA
Timeline
Battalion Chief – Community Risk Reduction
Atascadero Fire and Emergency Services
01.2021 - Current
Battalion Chief
Great Falls Fire Rescue
01.2017 - 12.2020
Captain
Great Falls Fire Rescue
10.2003 - 01.2017
President
International Association of Fire Fighters Local 8
07.2003 - 12.2020
Secretary Treasurer
Montana State Council of Professional Fire Fighters
07.2002 - 06.2021
Fire Fighter/Engineer
Great Falls Fire Rescue
08.1995 - 10.2003
Senior Airman / Firefighter
United States Air Force
02.1992 - 08.1995
Wild Land Fire Fighter/Hot Shot
Santa Barbara County Fire Department
05.1989 - 02.1991
Associate of Applied Science - Fire Science
Columbia Southern University
Bachelor of Science Degree - Business Administration/Human Resource Management
Columbia Southern University