Atascadero names David J. Van Son as next fire chief

By Staff Report · Tue Jul 14 2026

ATASCADERO — The City of Atascadero has announced the appointment of Battalion Chief David J. Van Son as the city's next fire chief, succeeding Chief Casey Bryson, who will retire Sept. 18 after more than 26 years of service to the community.

Van Son was selected through an internal recruitment process and is scheduled to assume the role on Sept. 19, pending confirmation by the Atascadero City Council.

"Chief Van Son has demonstrated exceptional leadership, professionalism, and dedication throughout his career," said City Manager James R. Lewis. "His commitment to public safety, his collaborative leadership style, his demonstrated integrity and calm and humble demeanor and the relationships he has built within our community, make him the right person to lead the department into its next chapter. We are fortunate to have such a qualified leader already serving the City of Atascadero."

Bryson has served as Atascadero's fire chief since 2017 and will retire following a distinguished career with the department.

Van Son brings 37 years of fire service experience to the position. He began his career with the Santa Barbara County Hot Shot Crew before serving as a firefighter in the U.S. Air Force. He later joined the Great Falls, Montana, Fire Department, where he rose through the ranks to battalion chief. He also earned a bachelor's degree in business and human resources from Columbia Southern University.

He joined the Atascadero Department of Fire & Emergency Services in 2021 as battalion chief of community risk reduction. In that role, he has overseen fire prevention, plan review, public education, vegetation management, weed abatement enforcement, fire and life safety inspections, and wildfire preparedness efforts while also serving as one of the department's duty chiefs.

“I’m truly honored to step into this role and sincerely thank the City Council and City Manager Lewis for trusting me to continue leading Atascadero Fire & Emergency Services,” said Chief Van Son. “I’m also deeply grateful for our partners across the City of Atascadero and throughout San Luis Obispo County who support our mission every day.”

Van Son said he looks forward to continuing the department's mission of providing professional, compassionate service while advancing the city's strategic goals.

His appointment and employment agreement will be considered by the Atascadero City Council at its July 14 meeting. If approved, he will officially become fire chief on Sept. 19.

Van Son and his wife, Jill, have been married for more than 35 years. They have four children, two grandchildren, and reside in Atascadero.