The Riverside County Board of Supervisors paid tribute to Emergency Management Department Director Bruce Barnum on his retirement after nearly two decades of emergency-services work, presenting a proclamation and remarks recognizing his role during fires, floods, power outages and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Supervisor comments highlighted Barnum's leadership in consolidating emergency response functions when the county formed the Emergency Management Department in 2015 and credited him with building partnerships across county departments and with neighboring counties. "He was always willing to show up. He was always willing to mobilize himself, his department, and folks he worked with," Supervisor Jeffries said during the presentation. Colleagues also praised Barnum for arranging pet-friendly sheltering and for organizing cooling centers and other operational responses during regional power shutoffs.

Barnum told the board he was grateful for his "purpose-driven" role and praised his EMD team and partner departments for stepping up during crises. Supervisors and staff pledged to continue the collaborative operational culture Barnum helped establish and wished him well in retirement; Barnum said he was retiring to Montana.

The board adopted a resolution honoring Barnum for "outstanding service and contributions" and extended best wishes for his retirement.