Chief Cermak began his career with the City of Alhambra, California, in 1988, as a firefighter and promoted through the ranks of Firefighter/paramedic (3 yrs.) to Fire Engineer (7 months) to Fire Captain (13 years) to Battalion Chief (7 years). He also had a long dual career in vocational studies at both Mt. San Antonio College and Rio Hondo College (25 years) instructing firefighters through Chief Officers assisting in their professional development.

Chief Cermak served as the fire department safety officer and training chief, and most recently maintenance, purchasing, and budget battalion chief. During his tenure as the training chief, he volunteered on the California Fire Chief's Association, Training Officer's Section, and rose through the position of President.

Chief Cermak looks forward to serving the communities of Stanwood, Arlington, Bryant, Warm Beach, Freeborn, and Stillaguamish Tribe in maintaining and implementing strategies to Community Risk Reduction into the future.