Long Standing Emergency Coordinator Moves On From Laguna Beach

LAGUNA BEACH, CA — When it comes to emergency lessons and public safety in Laguna Beach, there has been one constant for the past 15 years. Jordan Villwock, 35, has worked diligently as the city of Laguna Beach's emergency coordinator with the Laguna Beach Police Department. Now, he makes his move to Ontario, where he will serve as the Fire Administrative Director for the Ontario Fire Department.

According to Villwock, his new career will include working with the Ontario Fire Chief, and overseeing emergency management of that city, implement special projects all in his wheelhouse of emergency coordination.

Laguna Beach, due to its geography, presented challenging aspects for emergency management. Through getting the community more involved, helping to develop specific emergency plans for evacuations in the event of fires, earthquakes, or tsunamis, Villwock has been integral to the city. Thursday will be his last day in Laguna Beach before he picks up his new badge in Ontario, Monday.

The Laguna Beach Police Department will fill the open position right away, they said, though a name has not yet been made known.

The The employee of the Year in Laguna Beach for 2018, Villwock, also chaired the Orange County Emergency Management Organization. In that role, he coordinated a massive move to AlertOC and has helped multiple Orange County agencies prepare for the worst.

He started his career in Laguna Beach as a dispatch operator, and worked his way up to Senior Dispatcher, while in school, the OC Register reports. He earned his master's degree at Cal State Long Beach in emergency service administration.

While Laguna Beach is sad to see him go, he has many fans in our city who will be cheering him on in his new position. Laguna Beach Chief of Police, Laura Farinella, appreciates his history with the Community Emergency Response Team as well as dedication to disaster readiness. "We look forward to seeing all that he will accomplish in Ontario," Farinella said.

Villwock is ready for the next chapter. Though he is proud of the work he has accomplished in Laguna Beach, his eyes are on the future.

"The Ontario Fire Department holds a great reputation in the industry," he said. "I am most excited about career growth and joining the team. I'm ready to serve the residents of Ontario."