Costa Mesa Fire & Rescue announced that Firefighter/Paramedic Jeff Bibler has been promoted to Captain.

Bibler fills the gap left by longtime Capt. Bruce Pulgencio, who retired earlier this month.

“Captain Bibler is the right person at the right time to replace Capt. Pulgencio,” Chief Dan Stefano said. “Our team is extremely fortunate to have such strong quality and depth with our future leadership and Jeff is a shining example of exactly that.”

This past week, family, friends, and members of Costa Mesa Fire & Rescue team gathered in their tradition of celebrating the first day of promotion.

Those gathered watched as Chief Stefano pinned the Captain’s badge on Bibler’s chest and the entire Command Staff joined in with his collar brass pinning and the presentation of his Captain helmets.

Bibler has been a member of the Costa Mesa team since 2003. Prior to joining Costa Mesa, Bibler served at both the Montebello Fire Department and the Orange County Fire Authority.

Bibler’s contributions to Costa Mesa Fire & Rescue include serving as a founding member of our EMS Committee, Academy Instructor and Paramedic Preceptor, among others.

In addition, Bibler previously served as an Executive Board Member for the Costa Mesa Firefighters Association.

Bibler earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Applied Studies from Brandman University, is a graduate of the California Fire Chiefs Training Officers Fire Command College, and has demonstrated strong leadership skill sets.