Monrovia Volunteer Fire Rescue has a long and proud history of promoting leaders who move the department forward for the betterment of the community and its members.
Chiefs & Officers
*We're working on crafting an amazing biography. Please stay tuned!
*We're working on crafting an amazing biography. Please stay tuned!
*We're working on crafting an amazing biography. Please stay tuned!
*We're working on crafting an amazing biography. Please stay tuned!
*We're working on crafting an amazing biography. Please stay tuned!
Justin Novak is a Fire Captain and Training Officer with over 17 years of service in the Monrovia Volunteer Fire Department, bringing a wealth of expertise and leadership to his role. Outside of the department, he holds a career as an Army Civilian Program Manager, holding an M.S. in Geographic Information Systems and a B.S. in Computer Engineering from Pennsylvania State University. He is a Harvard Kennedy School Fellow and an alumnus of the Army Management Staff College. As a Monrovia resident for over 19 years, Justin remains deeply committed to serving our community through the love and support of his wife and four children.
Rank: Captain/Fire Fighter & EMT, EMS Officer & Treasurer
Career/Day Job: Advanced EMT, Decatur Morgan Hospital EMS College/Tech School: Calhoun Community College, Alabama Fire College
Years with Monrovia Fire: 7 yrs
Years living in Monrovia: 11 yrs
Why did you first join the department? Why have you stayed? I joined Monrovia Volunteer Fire and Rescue after becoming an EMT in 2017. Joining the volunteer fire service is a unique and hugely rewarding way to serve my community. Lasting friendships with other like-minded individuals, a strong sense of community, and a purpose driven focus on the mission of Monrovia Volunteer Fire and Rescue have all been key in keeping me anchored to the department.
How has being a volunteer developed you personally and professionally? It has certainly been rewarding to mentor and work alongside many volunteers both younger and older than myself. Being a volunteer has most definitely helped me develop both professional and technical skills that have carried over to my regular job.
What is the strongest memory you have of the fire department? Helping to successfully resuscitate a patient who suffered an electrocution is an event that I will never forget.
Lieutenant Grant Thornton has proudly served the Monrovia community as a firefighter for the past 7 years. His commitment to public service is deeply rooted in his extensive background in healthcare, holding a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from The University of Alabama in Huntsville. As a registered nurse, Lt. Thornton brings a wealth of medical knowledge to the fire service, enhancing the department’s ability to provide comprehensive emergency care.
With 25 years of residence in Monrovia, Lt. Thornton is not just a dedicated public servant but also a deeply invested member of the community. His dual expertise in nursing and firefighting makes him an invaluable asset to the Monrovia Fire Department, where he continually strives to ensure the safety and well-being of his neighbors.
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