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About the Victoria County Fire Marshal’s Office

 

 

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Daniel Porter, Fire Marshal

Daniel Porter serves as the Victoria County Fire Marshal, leading the county’s fire and life safety efforts in the unincorporated areas of Victoria County. As a licensed Texas Peace Officer and certified Fire Marshal, Fire Inspector, and Fire and Arson Investigator, he is responsible for fire investigations, life safety inspections, fire code enforcement, and community risk reduction initiatives.

Chief Porter began his public safety career in 1998 as a volunteer firefighter and transitioned to the career fire service in 2005. He brings decades of experience in fire service operations, investigations, inspections, emergency management coordination, and law enforcement. He works closely with the 11 volunteer fire departments throughout Victoria County, as well as local, state, and federal partners, to enhance fire protection, improve response capabilities, and promote public safety.

Under his leadership, the Victoria County Fire Marshal’s Office became a standalone county department in 2025, strengthening its ability to provide focused fire prevention, inspection, investigation, and public education services.
 
Chief Porter’s leadership philosophy centers on trust, accountability, and service. He emphasizes clear expectations, training, mentorship, collaboration, and long-term planning to build sustainable systems that support responders and positively impact the community.
 
Chief Porter serves on the Board of Directors of the Texas Fire Marshals Association and remains actively engaged in advancing professional standards and promoting consistent, fair, and effective fire and life safety enforcement statewide.
 

Nathan Kelley, Assistant Fire Marshal

Nathan Kelley serves as the Assistant Fire Marshal for Victoria County, bringing 29 years of public safety experience spanning fire suppression, fire prevention, investigations, inspections, and law enforcement. His diverse background strengthens the county’s fire and life safety mission.
 
Assistant Chief Kelley began his career as a volunteer firefighter, entering the fire academy in 1991 and becoming a career firefighter in 1994. He served in fire suppression until 2004, when he transitioned into the fire marshal field. In 2006, he expanded his public safety service by becoming a police officer, providing a unique perspective on emergency response, investigations, and code enforcement.
 
In 2017, he served as Fire Operations Commander during Hurricane Harvey, overseeing emergency response operations under complex and rapidly evolving conditions. In 2018, he assumed service as a Fire Chief, adding executive-level leadership and operational command experience.
 
Assistant Chief Kelley holds certifications as a Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator, Certified Vehicle Fire Investigator, Advanced Firefighter, and Master Police Officer. He is a graduate of the Texas A&M Fire Service Chief Executive Officer Program and Sam Houston State University’s Fire and Emergency Management Technology Program.
 
His leadership philosophy emphasizes prevention through education, fair and consistent enforcement, and strong interagency collaboration. Since 2018, he has served as a Board Member of the Texas Fire Marshals Association and remains committed to supporting responders and protecting the communities they serve.
 

Cissy Bonuz, Program Coordinator and Administrative Assistant

Cissy serves as the Program Coordinator and Administrative Assistant for the Victoria County Fire Marshal’s Office, providing more than 25 years of dedicated service and serving as a central point of continuity for the department. She originally served the office for 17 years before retiring and later returned, where she has now proudly worked an additional eight years.

In her role, Cissy is responsible for reviewing, correcting, and coordinating reports submitted by all 11 volunteer fire departments throughout Victoria County, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and compliance with reporting requirements. She manages a wide range of administrative, operational, and support functions essential to daily operations.

Cissy plays a critical role in supporting volunteer fire departments by assisting with report submissions, access to resources, equipment replacement needs, and assistance fund requests. Her institutional knowledge, attention to detail, and dedication make her an indispensable resource to both the Fire Marshal’s Office and the departments it serves.

Outside of the office, Cissy enjoys spending time with her husband RV camping, relaxing by the pool during the Texas summers, and gathering around the fire pit during cooler weather. They share their home with three very spoiled dogs who keep life entertaining and full of energy.