Fire Chief, Nick Dinapoli
(760) 256-2254
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Welcome Message from Fire Chief Nick Dinapoli

Welcome to the Barstow Fire Protection District's website, where we are dedicated to serving and protecting the community of Barstow with pride and professionalism.

Our highly skilled men and women work tirelessly to deliver outstanding emergency medical, fire, hazardous materials, technical rescue, and natural or man-made disaster response. We are an "all-hazard" response agency, equipped with the latest techniques and equipment to ensure the safety of our citizens.

As Fire Chief, I am proud of the dedication and commitment of our department, which is an integral part of the Barstow community. We work hand-in-hand with the Barstow Professional Firefighters Association and city management team to provide the best possible service to our citizens.

We are not just a response agency but a community-based organization that believes in giving back. Our members spend countless off-duty hours volunteering in the community, which enables us to respond to community needs with empathy and compassion.

Our priority is to respond to the needs of our citizens in a professional and expeditious manner. Thanks to the support of the Fire Board and City management team, we are well-equipped and prepared to respond to all emergencies.

Thank you for visiting our website, and if you need our assistance, please don't hesitate to ask. It is our privilege to serve such an amazing community.

 Fire Chief Nick Dinapoli Bio 

Nicholas A. DiNapoli was born on October 23, 1962, in Brooklyn, New York. His father was a police officer with the NYPD, and his mother, Nancy, was a fantastic writer and a beautiful singer of the great American songbook. After graduating from Barstow Senior High School in 1981, Nick returned to New York to pursue a career in the Fire Service and Police Department. However, life took him back to Barstow, where he met his wife, Sandy, and together they raised their family, putting God first in all they do, which includes three beautiful children: Kylene, Kristy, and Nicholas. 

Nick has always had a servant’s heart and began his firefighting career in 1982 as a Volunteer Firefighter with the Barstow Fire Protection District. Nick was appointed as a Firefighter Trainee with the Fire District and worked extremely hard to be promoted to a full-time Firefighter. Nick retired from the Fire District in 1996, but his desire to serve his community led him back to the Fire District in 1997 as a Board of Directors member for two years. In 1998, he returned as a Reserve Firefighter and continued to serve the Barstow community in many capacities. 

In 2007, Nick took the full-time Captain's test and was appointed to Engine Captain of Medic Engine 361. He served in this position for 12 years and became one of the most highly decorated members of the department before testing up to the position of Battalion Chief, which he assumed in 2019. Proving his dedication and commitment to his community, Nick served well and had the honor of stepping up into the role of Acting Fire Chief in 2021. 

Chief DiNapoli prides himself on having a blended leadership style, utilizing both the transformational servant model and, most importantly, leading by example. His focus is to keep his firefighters and community safe, and he believes that none of us is greater than all of us together. He holds an Associate’s Degree in Fire Science Technology and is currently a candidate for a Bachelor of Fire Service Administration degree from Southern Columbia University this fall. He is a Certified Fire Officer/Certified Chief Officer from the California State Fire Marshal's Office and a state-certified Fire Investigator with the State of California. 

Chief DiNapoli believes that his years of experience, education, and great leadership skills, combined with his love for his community, make him the perfect candidate for the role of Chief. His motto is, “None of us is greater than all of us together,” and he is committed to serving his community with humility and great community involvement.

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