Modesto Fire Chief will Head Livermore-Pleasanton Fire Department

The Livermore-Pleasanton Fire Department announced May 26 that James Miguel will be the organization's new fire chief. 

Miguel, who will start July 6, is head of the Modesto Fire Department and has been at that position for eight years. He will receive a salary of $185,000 a year in his new role.

"I'm looking forward to a new surrounding and a new perspective," said Miguel. "I'm excited about the leadership teams in Livermore and Pleasanton. 

Pleasanton Assistant City Manager Julie Yuan-Miu said Miguel, chosen from about 50 applicants, is a visionary and a leader who has experience in implementing strategic plans.

"I think it shows that he has that broad perspective," said Yuan-Miu. 

While in Modesto, Miguel also served concurrently as the acting deputy city manager and director of finance, an experience that Miguel said will be useful, with the economic situation.

 "I've worked to lead our fire department [in Modesto] thorugh the worst economic times I've seen in my career," he said. 

In his new post, Miguel will oversee a joint fire agency that provides services to more than 150,000 residents in the cities of Livermore and Pleasanton. The department is comprised of eight engine companies, two truck companies and 10 fire stations in the two cities.

Yuan-Miu said the search process included the city managers of both cities, department heads as well as union leaders.

Miguel has 27 years experience in fire service. He started his career in Modesto and rose through the ranks as fire engineer, captain, battalion chief and operations division chief.

The Livermore-Pleasanton Fire Department has been without a chief since October, when  William Cody retired after four years in the position. The department has also been without a deputy fire chief after Jeff Zolfarelli retired in January. 

Miguel will determine a new deputy fire chief.

Currently, an interim team comprised of assistant managers at both cities and battalion chiefs have been running the department. Joe Rodondi, a battalion chief, has been acting deputy since Zolfarelli's departure.