Robby Bergerson Sworn In as Waco Fire Chief

Last updated on June 30, 2025 at 04:00 PM

Fire Chief Bergerson holding up his right hand

On Monday, June 30th, Robin “Robby” Bergerson was officially sworn in as the new Waco fire chief. Chief Bergerson will serve as the 15th fire chief, kicking off the next chapter for the Waco Fire Department.

He has over 32 years of fire service experience, with 28 of those years dedicated to serving the Waco community. Throughout his career, Chief Bergerson has served in every operational and administrative rank within the department. The City of Waco looks forward to his leadership in strengthening the department’s commitment to protecting lives and property.

Fire Chief Bergerson's wife pinning his badge

Fire Chief Bergerson Standing at the podium

Fire Chief Bergerson with three councilmembers

Fire Chief Bergerson with his mom, two kids, and wife

About Chief 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.

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