Brandon Coatney didn't plan on becoming a firefighter. It took a career day in a high school gymnasium—and a conversation with a firefighter—to change that. Thirty years later, he's the fire chief of the La Verne Fire Department, leading the same kind of agency he once dreamed of joining as a teenager.

Coatney, who began serving in La Verne as deputy fire chief in 2022, stepped into the role after three decades in the fire service. He was sworn in during a City Council meeting Feb. 2. Mayor Tim Hepburn said the transition was part of a long-term leadership plan within the department.

“Former Fire Chief Niggs had a great succession plan in place when Coatney was deputy fire chief, and that has really helped make this transition a success,” Hepburn said. “It’s been a seamless transition with a very positive reception from the community.”

From High School Career Day to Fire Chief

Coatney said he did not initially plan to pursue a career in firefighting.
That changed during a career day when firefighters from the Rialto Fire Department spoke to students in the Eisenhower High School gymnasium.

“Me and one of my good friends stopped by to talk to one of the firefighters and from that point, we were gung-ho,” Coatney said. “We immediately went into asking, ‘How do we join the explorer program? How do we get started?’”

They did just that.

The Fire Explorer’s Program gives youth (ages 14-20) first-hand experience in what it physically and mentally takes to be a professional firefighter.

He enrolled at Crafton Hills College after graduation and entered the fire academy shortly after, launching a career that began with the City of San Bernardino. He spent much of his early career there before lateraling to the City of Fullerton in 2015.

A Perspective Shaped by Change

In Fullerton, Coatney served as a fire captain, division chief of training, and later deputy fire chief before joining La Verne.

While Coatney built much of his career outside of La Verne, Mayor Hepburn said he has quickly established strong ties within the community.

Bringing experience from multiple agencies, Coatney said those transitions helped shape his leadership approach. He described his style as approachable and relationship-driven, emphasizing the importance of understanding how individuals communicate and building strong working relationships with staff and labor groups.

Internally, he defines success as fostering a workplace where firefighters feel pride and ownership in their work. He said he wants La Verne to remain a “destination department,” not a stepping stone, with strong retention and a positive culture.
For the department, success also means delivering efficient, professional service to the public.

“We answer to the community,” Coatney said. “They pay for those services, and we want to make sure we’re delivering the most efficient service that they deserve.”

Regional Coordination and Modernization

That focus extends beyond city limits. LVFD operates three stations and works closely with neighboring agencies through automatic aid agreements to ensure balanced coverage and response. The department participates in California’s Master Mutual Aid system and sends engines on strike teams during major incidents. LVFD personnel are also part of Urban Search and Rescue Task Force 4, which provides advanced technical rescue capabilities.

On the medical side, the department recently hired a new medical director to work alongside its EMS nurses and committee to track performance and stay current with trends and pilot programs.

Community Trust

Coatney added that community trust remains central to the department’s mission.

“I want our citizens to know that a competent professional crew is going to show up,” he said. “They can take a sigh of relief.”

Looking ahead, he said he hopes firefighters will view his tenure as a positive era for the department and that they will feel they had an advocate in leadership. He emphasized succession planning, noting that several members are preparing to step into higher ranks in the future.

“I know that the La Verne department is set up for success for many years to come,” he said.

Life Beyond the Uniform

Outside of work, Coatney said his family keeps him grounded. His wife serves as a director of nurse education at a hospital, and both of their children have pursued careers in public service. His son, Bryce, is also a member of the La Verne Fire Department.

As he begins his tenure as fire chief, Coatney said his focus is on the people he serves, both the firefighters who work alongside him and the residents who depend on them.

“Being a fire chief and reaching this pinnacle of my career is very small in the grand scheme of things compared to how proud I am of my family,” he said.

With 30 years in the fire service, he said he understands the weight of the responsibility and the opportunity it brings. His goal is to build on the department’s foundation, develop the next generation of leaders and ensure La Verne is prepared for the challenges ahead.