County Fire Captain Steve Lasiter, who helms Station 36 in Joshua Tree, was promoted to Battalion Chief Wednesday. Lasiter started his 22-year-career as a paid-call fire fighter in Yucca Valley in 1992, and has worked at the Combat Center in Twentynine Palms, Joshua Tree, Arrowhead, and Fontana, before returning to Joshua Tree as a captain almost nine years ago. Lasiter will assume his new duties May 3 as battalion chief in Fontana. Lasiter said he was excited about his new challenge and hopes to some day make his way back to working in the Morongo Basin. Tom Marshall, who is stationed in Needles, was also promoted from captain to battalion chief, and will assume a vacant position in Yucca Valley.
