The City of Canyon Lake will be launching its own fire department on January 1, 2022. During Monday’s City Council meeting, Fire Chief Jeff LaTendresse introduced the new department’s three captains: Chris Bertrand, Humberto Sanchez, and Brennain Gorter.
Captain Chris Bertrand is a native Californian who grew up in the South Bay area of Los Angeles County. He served with the Kern County Fire Department for more than 21 years, the last seven as a fire captain.
During his time with Kern County, Bertrand earned two associate’s degrees, a bachelor’s degree, and responded to numerous large vegetation fires.
“Captain Bertrand also works with the City of Newport Beach as a pilot on a harbor patrol boat and we hope to use that experience in the future,” LaTendresse said.
Bertrand resides in Costa Mesa.
Captain Humberto “Chico” Sanchez is a native Californian who was raised in Pasadena. He worked with the Huntington Beach Fire Department for 28 years. He retired earlier this year as a fire engineer.
During his time in Huntington Beach, Sanchez, a certified hazardous materials specialist, worked for many years on the hazardous materials team.
Sanchez has a bachelor’s degree in fire science and is a certified fire officer. He resides in Temecula.
Captain/Paramedic Brennain Gorter was born in the Netherlands and speaks Dutch. He comes to Canyon Lake from the Morongo Valley Fire Department and the Yermo Calico Fire Department and has more than five years experience as a captain.
Gorter has an associate’s degree, a bachelor’s degree, and is an emergency medical technician instructor at a community college.
“In his previous department where he was also a captain/paramedic, he served as the EMS coordinator, a role we have tapped him to fill here,” LaTendresse said.
Gorter resides in Calimesa.
