PIO Podcast (04/18/26): Captain John Marini and North AFB Museum

<p>The episode features a fascinating field segment with Ken Nelson at the Norton Air Force Base Museum, offering listeners a behind-the-scenes look at one of San Bernardino’s most unique historical landmarks.<br /></p><p>Ken shares his personal experience as a former C-141 aircraft commander and provides rich insight into the legacy of Norton Air Force Base, once a major hub for global military airlift operations. <br /></p><p>A powerful story unfolds around Leland Norton, the base’s namesake, whose heroic actions during World War II ultimately led to the base being named in his honor. Listeners will also hear the remarkable story of Norton’s long-lost footlocker—rediscovered decades later at a local swap meet and now preserved in the museum.<br /></p><p>The segment emphasizes the importance of preserving local history while encouraging the community to visit, donate artifacts, and explore the museum’s growing collection of military memorabilia and personal stories.<br /></p><p>The episode kicks off with important announcements and upcoming events across San Bernardino County Fire:</p><ul><li>Open House at Fire Station 4 on April 18 featuring tours, displays, and community engagement</li><li>Cancer Prevention and Wellness Symposium on May 9 at Headquarters</li><li>Take Your Child to Work Day on April 23</li><li>Ongoing multi-company training and operational readiness updates</li></ul><p>Captain Millerick also highlights key points from the department’s latest State of Operations report, including:</p><ul><li>Strategic staffing goals and firefighter recruitment efforts</li><li>Wildfire risk reduction planning across tens of thousands of acres</li><li>Continued rollout of new incident reporting systems</li><li>Improvements in apparatus readiness and deployment capabilities</li></ul><p>Listeners are encouraged to stay informed and engaged with department communications and initiatives.</p><p>Back in the studio, the crew sits down with Captain John Marini for an in-depth and entertaining conversation recorded at Station 228.<br /></p><p>John shares his unique journey into the fire service, from working in a family-owned music store in Alhambra to pursuing EMT training and ultimately becoming a firefighter. His stories highlight the life lessons learned through sales, customer interaction, and growing up around musicians—experiences that shaped his communication skills and leadership style.<br /></p><p>The discussion also dives into:</p><ul><li>His transition