The Fire Suppression & Operations Division of the Fire Department is responsible for putting out fires, emergency rescues and medical emergency response.  The four fire stations in Relands are staffed 24/7 to ensure quick response times to keep fire damage to a minimum.

When not fighting fires the Suppression & Operations Division spends time maintaining their equipment and training on the latest fire fighting techniques.

Deputy Fire Chief Rich Sessler

A native of nearby Corona, California, Rich Sessler left a very successful seven year career with the U.S Forestry Service to come to the Redlands Fire Department in 2005. In 2012, as a Captain, Rich was awarded the distinction of Firefighter of the Year. In 2014, The City of Redlands honored Rich with the Safety Manager of the Year Award. Rich holds a Masters of Arts in Management from the University of Redlands.

Battalion Chief Jim Topoleski

As one of our veterans, Jim Topoleski has proudly served with the Redlands Fire Department for 28 years of his 32 year career in the fire service. Born and raised in nearby San Bernardino, Jim, who calls Redlands his home, is very involved in community organizations such as the Redlands East Valley High School PTSA, Redlands Baseball for Youth, and the Redlands Benchwarmers.