City of Victorville officials swear in Fire Chief Bobby Clemmer
Bobby Clemmer has been sworn in as the new Victorville fire chief.
Clemmer is the ninth person to lead the city-owned fire department since April 2018, either in the role of permanent or interim chief, or lead overseer.
Clemmer was promoted from deputy chief of operations for Victorville Fire and spent his entire career serving the High Desert.
City officials said Clemmer’s time in the High Desert has equipped him with a wealth of experience and specialized knowledge of the region.
“The support of my family has been unwavering,” said Clemmer, who draws great inspiration from his wife, and his three children. “I am excited to see what the future holds and truly believe this is where I’m meant to be.”
From Barstow to Apple Valley
A graduate of Apple Valley High School, Clemmer grew up in the High Desert and began his career in the fire service in 2002 as a paid call firefighter in Barstow.
Clemmer rapidly progressed through the Barstow organization, being promoted to the rank of engineer and then captain.
In 2017, Clemmer transitioned to the Apple Valley Fire Protection District, where he served as a captain for another 5.5 years and as an interim battalion chief.
Victorville Fire
In February 2023, Victorville hired Clemmer as the training battalion chief. After serving as interim deputy chief of operations for nearly eight months, Clemmer was officially promoted to deputy chief of operations for Victorville Fire in November 2023.
“The opportunity to lead an organization full of individuals I have tremendous respect for is exciting,” said Clemmer. “I’ve been fortunate enough to lead this group in different situations over the past year and remain impressed with every single person’s skill set.”
Firefighter, paramedic, instructor, chaplain
Clemmer earned a bachelor’s degree in fire science from Columbia Southern University.
Throughout his career as a firefighter, Clemmer also worked as an adjunct instructor with Victor Valley College, a 911 dispatcher with Desert Comm, and a private ambulance paramedic.
Additionally, Clemmer is a credentialed chief fire officer, registered state fire training instructor, and certified chaplain.
He is qualified in Urban Search and Rescue and has 20 years of paramedic experience.
Clemmer assumes command from Interim Fire Chief William “Willie” Racowschi who has served the department since December 2022.
“Bobby had the chance to mentor under an amazing leader in Chief Racowschi, and he’s learned the organizational culture,” said Victorville City Manager Keith Metzler. “He is going to be a great fit for the Victorville Fire Department.”
Andrew Roach was also sworn in as the new deputy chief of operations for the fire department.
End of the revolving door?
Before Clemmer was hired, Fire Chief Racowschi took the interim position in July 2023 after Chief David Foster served in the role for nearly three months.
In March 2023, the city announced the hiring of Foster, who had more than 40 years of fire service experience. He stepped into his new role on April 3, 2023, and served out his last day on June 27, 2023.
Deputy Chief Bobby Clemmer briefly took the lead of the Victorville Fire Department until former Interim Chief Racowschi resumed command of the department on Wednesday, July 5, 2023.
Before Interim Chief Racowschi, the following men have led the Victorville Fire Department:
Fire Department Lead Bobby Clemmer - June 2023 to July 2023
Chief David Foster - March 2023 to June 2023
Interim Chief Racowschi - December 2022 to March 2023
Chief Brian Fallon - June 2022 to December 2022
Jeff Armstrong- March 2021 to May 2022
Interim Chief John Becker - August 2022 to March 2021
Chief Greg Benson - April 2018 to August 2020
Daily Press reporter Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at 760-951-6227 or RDeLaCruz@VVDailyPress.com. Follow him on Twitter @DP_ReneDeLaCruz
This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: City of Victorville officials swear in Fire Chief Bobby Clemmer
