Chief Lawler began his EMS and Fire service career in 1994 as a Volunteer with Campo Fire & Rescue. He attended the Palomar Fire Academy in 1996 and completed paramedic school through Southwestern College in 1998.  In 1999, he was hired with San Miguel Fire & Rescue where he has promoted through all ranks. He completed his Chief Officer series over 10 years ago.

Chief Lawler has a passion for teaching and has done so as an instructor for Miramar College where he too went to school years ago. He has also worked as an adjunct and lead instructor for numerous fire academies at Heartland Fire Training. He feels that teaching has been a way to give back to the career he loves and that has been so good for him and his family.