Fire Administration

Fire Chief:
R.M. Bergerson

Chief Bergerson began his firefighting career in the Austin area in 1993 and joined the Waco Fire Department on August 18, 1997. Over the years, he has served in or temporarily held every rank within the Department, culminating in his promotion to Fire Chief on June 18, 2025.

Throughout his distinguished career, Chief Bergerson has played a pivotal role in driving numerous operational and organizational improvements. His leadership was instrumental in helping the Department attain a prestigious Class 1 ISO insurance rating—a benchmark of excellence in fire protection services.

Before being appointed Interim Fire Chief and eventually Fire Chief, he served as a Deputy Fire Chief since 2017. In this role, he collaborated closely with other departmental branches to ensure seamless operations and led a variety of critical special projects, working first as the Deputy Chief of Emergency Operations and later as the Executive Deputy Chief.

Chief Bergerson continues to lead with dedication, vision, and a strong commitment to public safety and service excellence.

He holds a Master of Liberal Studies in Public Administration from Fort Hays State University, a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership from Mountain State University, and an Associate of Applied Science in Fire Services Administration from Weatherford College.

A 2019 graduate of the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer (EFO) Program, Chief Bergerson has earned the Chief Fire Officer (CFO) designation from the Center for Public Safety Excellence. He is also a graduate of the Texas Fire Chiefs Academy and holds the Certified Fire Executive (CFE) designation. In 2023, he completed the International Association of Fire Chiefs’ Fire Service Executive Development Institute (FSEDI) program, joining a select group of fewer than 250 graduates across the U.S. and Canada.

His professional certifications from the Texas Commission on Fire Protection include:

• Master Firefighter
• Master Aircraft Rescue Firefighter
• Fire Officer IV
• Incident Safety Officer
• Hazardous Materials Technician
• Hazardous Materials Incident Commander
• Incident Commander
• Fire Service Instructor III-Master

Additionally, he is certified as an EMT-Basic by the Texas Department of State Health Services.

Beyond his operational leadership, Chief Bergerson is a passionate educator and mentor. He serves as a faculty member at Austin Community College, instructs incident command and leadership courses nationwide, and is a published contributor for Fire Engineering  and FireFighter Nation magazines.

Contact Chief Bergerson

Acting Executive Deputy Chief:
Patrick Veselka

Deputy Chief Patrick Veselka has dedicated over two decades to fire service, demonstrating a steadfast commitment to public safety and professional development. He began his firefighting career in September 1995 with Travis County Emergency Services District No. 6. In March 1999, he joined the Waco Fire Department, where he has since held various roles, including Firefighter, Fire Equipment Engineer, Lieutenant, and Fire Captain. As of November 2021, he serves as the Deputy Chief of Emergency Operations, overseeing the department's operational strategies and responses.

DC Veselka's educational background is extensive. He earned an Associate of Arts in Fire Protection from Austin Community College in 2004 and a Bachelor of Arts in Fire Services Administration from Western Illinois University between 2008 and 2011. He furthered his education with a Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership from Point Park University, which he will complete in 2025. He has also completed the Managing Officer Program and the Executive Fire Officer Program at the National Fire Academy.

His professional certifications from the Texas Commission on Fire Protection include Master Firefighter, Fire Officer IV, Instructor III, Incident Safety Officer, Hazardous Materials Incident Commander, and Incident Commander. He is also a certified paramedic.

Beyond his service in Waco, Deputy Chief Veselka contributed to the education of future firefighters as an Adjunct Faculty Instructor at Austin Community College from 2002 to 2022. He developed and taught courses for the Fire Academy and the EMS program there.

Deputy Chief Veselka's dedication to the fire service is reflected in his ongoing efforts to enhance emergency response procedures and his commitment to mentoring personnel within and outside the department.

Contact Deputy Chief Veselka

Deputy Chief of Community Risk Reduction/Fire Marshal:
Gary Lee

Deputy Chief Lee began his career as a firefighter with the Waco Fire Department in 1991. In December 1998, he was promoted to the Fire Marshal’s Office and worked as a Lieutenant for ten years. In 2008 he was promoted to Captain in the Fire Marshal’s Office and held that rank before promoting to Deputy Chief over Community Risk Reduction in 2024.

He has formal training in public education, fire prevention/risk reduction, holds Texas certifications in Inspections and Investigations, and is a Master Peace Officer.

Contact Deputy Chief Lee

Interim Deputy Chief of Emergency Operations:
Max Breese

With 27 ½ years of service in the Waco Fire Department, Interim Deputy Chief Max Breese has been a leader in firefighter training, leadership development, and hazardous materials response. His dedication to mentoring personnel, enhancing emergency response procedures, and advancing fire service education has shaped the department’s operational effectiveness. A passionate instructor and fire officer, he established WFD’s Officer Candidate School, implemented a Professional Development Plan, and led hazmat decontamination improvements, ensuring safer and more efficient practices for the department.

Interim Deputy Chief Breese holds an Associate Degree in Fire Science and numerous certifications, including Master Firefighter, Fire Officer III, Advanced Fire Investigator, and Hazmat Incident Commander. His expertise extends to nuclear hazardous materials response, technical emergency operations, and specialized rescue training. His commitment to firefighter growth and public safety is reflected in his work on driver training programs, recruitment efforts, and community engagement initiatives. Recognized with the 2023 Career Achievement Award for Hazmat & Field Training Leadership and the 2017 Customer Service Award for “Reading to the Rescue,” Interim Deputy Chief Breese continues to drive innovation and excellence in fire service leadership.

Contact Interim Deputy Chief Breese