Livermore-Pleasanton Fire Department Celebrates 20 Years of Service

PLEASANTON, CA — Two decades ago, the Livermore-Pleasanton Fire Department Station 1 was located on Railroad Avenue in Pleasanton and stations 4 and 10 had not yet been built. A lot has changed in the 20 years since the Livermore-Pleasanton Fire Department began serving the citizens in the two Tri-Valley cities. In 2016, the fire department, still staffed with roughly the same number of employees as they had in 1997, is on pace to exceed 13,000 emergency responses. In 1997, firefighters responded to around 6400 emergency calls per year. The population of the service areas in 1996 was around 125,000 and is now over 160,000, according to Deputy Chief Joseph Testa.

In those 20 years, the department has also mourned two tragic line of duty deaths. Deputy Chief Dennis Laurence and Captain Paul Chenkovich both suffered from and lost their battle with occupational-related cancers. Testa says their contributions to the fire department are still very much alive in the daily operations and in the character of the personnel.

Read more:

• Livermore-Pleasanton Fire Scholarships Pay Homage to Fallen Captain

Testa says the biggest change to the department over the years is the expansion and development of services that they provide.

“We have developed our original personnel (there are 26 active employees remaining that were here at the time of merger), and hired and trained new employees that have a highly developed and professional skill set,” Testa told Patch by email. “We have increased our paramedic program to include 24/7/365 Advanced Life Support at all stations, we have developed our ability to conduct confined space and technical rescues, we have a state certified Hazardous Materials Team. We have members of our department serving as responders and instructors for California Task Force 4 USAR Rescue Team, we have improved our ability to conduct salvage operations and protect property loss, and we have improved our community’s preparedness for disasters by training multiple Community Emergency Response Teams.”

Testa says the department is preparing the next generation of firefighters through Explorer and Reserve Firefighter Programs. The busy department currently staffs 120 full-time positions supporting three divisions, which include administration, prevention and operations.

“We utilize a multi-county inter-operational radio system and we keep our communities safe through a Fire Prevention Bureau that uses intent and common sense oriented to keeping the public safe in addition to Fire and Building Codes in decision making,” Testa said.

The firefighters are also stewards for the most famous light bulb in the world, which has been burning in the Livermore fire station #6 since 1901. The Centennial Bulb has been in the Guinness Book of World Records twice. In 2013, the celebrated bulb appeared to have burned out and after a swift investigation, firefighters were relieved to discover the uninterrupted power supply had failed and the light bulb was back on.

All of the fire department employees gathered at headquarters on Wednesday for an “all employee” photo to celebrate the 20 years of service. The Alameda County Fire Department provided emergency response coverage so all of the employees could be included in the photo.

Read more Livermore-Pleasanton Fire Department coverage on Patch:

• Incredible Rescue: Distraught Woman Trying to Jump Off Livermore Overpass Saved By Police, Fire
• Firefighters Rescue Fawn Trapped in Pleasanton Fence
• Photo of the Week: Dramatic Moment During Sycamore Grove Fire
• Chimney Fire: Livermore-Pleasanton Firefighters' View From the Fire Lines
• Livermore-Pleasanton Firefighters Donate $5,000 to Burn Foundation
• Eight Firefighters Graduate from Livermore-Pleasanton Fire Academy
• Livermore-Pleasanton Firefighters Sent to Battle Little Valley Fire
• Livermore-Pleasanton Firefighters Pay Respects to Fallen Firefighters at Colorado Memorial
• Livermore Centennial Bulb T-Shirt Sales Will Benefit Livermore-Pleasanton Firefighters Foundation

Photo 1 shows the members of the LPFD preparing for an “all employee” photo on December 7, 2016 in honor of the anniversary. Photo courtesy Livermore-Pleasanton Fire Department