Brad Lutts, Unit Chief

Chief Lutts is a 32 year veteran of public safety and emergency response services in California, having performed both fire protection and law enforcement duties. He has been assigned as the Lassen-Modoc-Plumas Unit Chief since March 1st of 2006.

Since arriving in the Lassen-Modoc-Plumas Unit in 2000, Chief Lutts has served as the Unit’s Administrative Officer, the Division Chief in command of the Devil’s Garden Conservation Camp and as the Unit’s Operations Chief.

Chief Lutts’ previous Cal Fire assignments include Law Enforcement Bureau Chief in the San Mateo-Santa Cruz Unit, Field Battalion Chief in the Mendocino and San Mateo-Santa Cruz Units, Fire Captain Specialist/Law Enforcement in the Madera-Mariposa-Merced Unit and Fire Fighter in the Tuolumne-Calaveras Unit. Additionally, he has worked for a large county fire department and several fire districts. You may contact Chief Lutts at brad.lutts@fire.ca.gov.

Joe Waterman, Operations Chief

Joe Waterman is Lassen-Modoc-Plumas' Operations Chief. The Operations Chief is responsible for the Unit's fire control and other emergency operations. He supervises the four field Battalion Chiefs, the Emergency Command Center Chief, the Unit's Automotive Fleet Manager, and the Law Enforcement/Fire Prevention Bureau Chief.

Lassen-Modoc-Plumas' fire control fleet includes 15 fire engines, three bulldozers, and one helicopter. The fire control staff consists of 90 permanent and approximately 100 seasonal fire fighting employees who staff the Unit's conservation camps, fire stations, helitack base, and the emergency command center. You may contact Chief Waterman at joe.waterman@fire.ca.gov.

Steve Peterson, Administrative Officer

Steve Peterson is Lassen-Modoc-Plumas's Administrative Officer.  Chief Peterson assists the Unit Chief by planning, directing and evaluating administrative work and support services within the Unit including business and personnel management.  He is responsible for supervising the administrative staff, including Receptionist Shirley Barber, Senior Account Clerk Evelyn Glenn,  Senior Personnel Specialist Shane Bowman, and Forestry Logistics Officer Doug Beutler. You may contact Chief Peterson at steve.peterson@fire.ca.gov.