Setting the Standard in Fire & EMS Dispatching

Heartland Communications
Facility Authority

Our Mission is to serve as the vital link between our communities and first responders, ensuring prompt and compassionate delivery of Fire and EMS services during emergencies.

By living our mission, we aim to make our communities safer, healthier, and more resilient by ensuring that help is always just a phone call away when it matters most.

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HCFA Employee Spotlight

Meet Justin!

For the past eight years, Justin Nettleton has played a vital behind-the-scenes role supporting emergency response operations as a Management Analyst in GIS and Analytics. While he may not be the one answering 911 calls directly, Justin’s work helps ensure call takers and emergency personnel have the tools and systems they need to respond effectively when people need help most.

“What motivates me to stay in this role is knowing that the work I do can help make our operations more effective during some of the most difficult and critical moments in people’s lives,” Justin shared. “Every improvement, project, or system I help with has the potential to impact outcomes for the people who need us most. Knowing my role can play a part in potentially saving a life gives real purpose to the work I do every day.”

Justin’s dedication and expertise were recognized in 2024 when he was named the Southern California APCO GIS Technologist of the Year, an achievement that highlights his contributions to the field and the organization.

Outside of work, Justin enjoys staying active and making the most of life with his wife and friends. Whether it’s traveling internationally, exploring local destinations, getting in a workout, or taking long walks through the park or along the Embarcadero, he values opportunities to recharge and experience new perspectives. He and his wife are also devoted Padres fans and quarter-season ticket holders, making trips to the ballpark one of their favorite pastimes.

One especially fun fact about Justin is his passion for travel. Since moving to San Diego eight years ago, he and his wife have visited 10 countries together — including Mexico, Jamaica, Peru, Colombia, Panama, the United Kingdom, Belgium, Ireland, Spain, and Portugal — with trips to Greece, Czechia, and Germany already planned for this September. When it’s time to unwind, Justin enjoys relaxing at home with his wife and their pup while binge-watching a good TV show.

Reflecting on his time at HCFA, Justin shared how much the organization has evolved over the years.

“If you had asked me after my first year at HCFA whether I saw myself staying long term, I would have said, ‘Absolutely not,’” he said. “But the culture shifts that have taken place here over the last four years and the staff we have now have completely changed that perspective. The environment, leadership, and overall workplace culture have evolved in such a positive way that I genuinely can’t picture myself wanting to work anywhere else right now. For the first time in my career, I can honestly say that I truly enjoy coming to work each day — and that’s something I’ve never been able to say before.”

Thank you, Justin, for your dedication, innovation, and continued commitment to supporting our mission every day!