South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue promotes three to position of captain; adds three firefighters

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue recently held ceremonies for the hiring of three new firefighter/paramedics and the promotion of three to the rank of captain. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, ceremonies were small and held at the fire station during their shifts.

Captain/Paramedic Mike Taormina
Captain Mike Taormina grew up in Lockeford, California, a small town in the Central Valley. He started the fire service when he was a junior in high school and was an explorer for the Stockton Fire Department. He then started working at Clements Fire District, a rural department near his hometown. During that time, he worked for Calfire for six fire seasons. In 2013, he and his wife moved to South Lake after rbeing hired at South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue. Mike says, “I enjoy spending time with my family and being outdoors. Working for the South Lake Tahoe Fire Department has been a dream come true. I am honored to serve this community and work alongside some extraordinary people.”

Captain/Paramedic Brenen Davis
Captain Brenen Davis was raised in South Lake Tahoe, and a graduate of STHS class of 2003. Firefighting has been a lifelong dream for Brenen. As a senior in high school, his senior project was on firefighting with a mentorship through Lake valley Fire District working as a volunteer and a residential firefighter. Brenen has worked with South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue since 2004 where he spent two years as a reserve Firefighter while earning his paramedic license and a degree in Fire Science. Brenen was hired with South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue in 2006 and has worked in every position leading to the rank of Captain /Paramedic. Brenen is passionate about living life to the fullest and spending times outdoors with his family skiing, mountain biking and camping.

Brenen said he is proud to serve South Lake Tahoe as a Captain Paramedic and feels strongly about fulfilling the departments mission statement, “Serving our community with compassion, professionalism and Honor,” said Brenen. “I strive to bring out the best in people, to make their day better, put a smile on their face and leave the fire service better than I found it.”

Captain/Paramedic Doug Bailey
Captain Doug Bailey moved to South Lake Tahoe in 2002. He attended Lake Tahoe Community College for the Fire Science program. After he completed the Fire Science program he attended paramedic school in the Bay Area. He moved back to South Lake Tahoe in 2006 and was hired by South Lake Tahoe Fire Department in 2007. In the 12 years he served in South Lake Tahoe, Doug has worked the rank of Firefighter, Engineer to now Captain. “It’s been an honor to serve the community I live in,” said Doug.

Firefighter/Paramedic Jonathan Szendrey
Firefighter Jonathan Szendrey grew up in Southern California and moved to South Lake Tahoe in 2001. He graduated from George Whittell High School and attended the University of Nevada, Reno. He graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance and Economics. After graduating, he worked as a Realtor in South Lake Tahoe as well as an Investment Advisor. He decided to make a career change and attended the Paramedic program at Truckee Meadows Community College. After graduating, he began working as a Reserve Paramedic and was later hired as a full-time firefighter/paramedic at North Lyon County Fire. “I enjoy being outdoors, skiing, snowmobiling, and playing golf. I am extremely excited to be working for South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue,” said Jonathan.

Firefighter/Paramedic Leo Gebhardt
Firefighter Leo Gebhardt is a recent graduate of Lake Tahoe Basin Fire Academy. He has previously worked as a paramedic San Francisco and Oakland, and he previously worked on the ambulance here in South Lake Tahoe. Leo says, “I am proud to continue serving our community as a firefighter/paramedic with SLTFR.”

Firefighter/Paramedic Kyle Printz
Firefighter Kyle Printz grew up in Placerville, California and quickly realized he wanted to be a firefighter after spending time with his father, visiting a busy Sacramento fire station at the age of seven. After graduating Golden Sierra High School in Garden Valley, Calif, he enlisted in the US Marine Corps and honorably served for four years. Ultimately, Kyle continued his education attending EMT, and eventually Paramedic school. Kyle has worked a variety of EMS jobs including staffing an ambulance as a paramedic in South Lake Tahoe. “Working for South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue provides me with a feeling that I can truly make a difference in the community and help those in the times they need it most,“ said Kyle.