Fire Department Administration

Fire Chief David Pohl

David Pohl began his career with the Montclair Fire Department as a reserve firefighter in December of 1989. During his 34 years in the fire service with the Montclair Fire Department he has held the ranks of Firefighter, Fire Engineer, Fire Captain, Fire Battalion Chief, and Deputy Fire Chief, becoming Fire Chief of the department in July of 2023. David is one of the original members of the urban search and rescue team as well as a training committee chairman. He has instructed and assisted with department training on swift water rescue and rapid intervention crew tactics. He is a hazardous materials specialist and has represented the fire department on the west end hazardous materials team. Chief Pohl also holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.

Assistant Fire Chief Ryon Dierck

Ryon Dierck’s career in the fire service began in 2008 when he was hired as a full-time firefighter by Kern County Fire Department.  He spent 13 years protecting the citizens of Kern County while holding the ranks of Firefighter, Fire Engineer, and Fire Captain.  He was hired in by the Montclair Fire Department as a Fire Battalion Chief in 2020.  During his tenure with Montclair Fire Department he has managed the department's Training Division as well as the department’s Operations Division.  Chief Dierck was promoted to Assistant Fire Chief in 2023 where he currently serves the citizens of Montclair providing strategic management of the Fire Department under the Fire Chief’s direction.

Chief Dierck holds an Associate’s Degree in Fire Technology, a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering from University of California Santa Barbara, and will be completing his Master’s Degree in Business Administration with a focus in Management in the Summer of 2024.  He is a certified Chief Fire Officer, as well as a Certified Executive Chief Fire Officer through California State Fire Training.  He also holds certifications as a Hazardous Materials Specialist, Swift Water Technician, Confined Space Technician, as well as a Hazardous Materials Incident Commander.

Battalion Chief Thomas Dowser

Thomas Dowser’s career in the fire service started at the Montclair Fire Department in February of 1992 when he was hired as a firefighter after a year of serving as a reserve firefighter. In 1999 he attended paramedic school at the Paramedic Training Institute and went on to assist in the formation of the city’s paramedic program. He was also one of several individuals to begin providing immediate staffing for the program. He was promoted in 2006 to Fire Engineer and again in 2009 to Fire Captain. Tom Dowser currently serves as a Fire Battalion Chief for the Montclair Fire Department overseeing the department’s emergency medical services.

Battalion Chief Thomas Nicoll

Thomas Nicoll’s fire service career began in 2000 when he was hired as a firefighter by the Kern County Fire Department.  He Spent 20 years with the Kern County Fire Department and worked as a Firefighter, Fire Engineer, and Fire Captain.  He was hired by the Montclair Fire Department as a Battalion Chief in 2021 where he manages the department’s training division along with his operational shift duties.

Chief Nicoll holds a Fire Technology Certificate, an Associate’s Degree in Fire Science, a Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Arts, and a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential.    He is a Registered Instructor, a certified Company Fire Officer, Chief Fire Officer, and Executive Chief Fire Officer through California State Fire Training along with several NWCG qualifications.