City announces three new fire department shift commanders

By Nancy Kerry
The City of South Lake Tahoe is pleased to announce a promotional ceremony for three new Fire Department Shift Commanders will be held on Monday, November 21, 2011. The ceremony will take place at the City’s Administration Offices (South Lake Tahoe Airport) at 2:30 p.m. and is open to the public. Being promoted to Shift Commander are Jim Drennan, Rob Hembree and Dan Sullivan. In announcing the appointments, City Manager Tony O’Rourke said, “The three Commanders will have significant responsibilities and have demonstrated the capacity to carry them out. We are pleased to announce their promotions.”

Mr. Drennan began his career in the fire service in 2000 as a member of the Fire Reserves. He joined the South Lake Tahoe Fire Department as a firefighter in December 2002 and was promoted to Fire Engineer in July 2005. In March 2007, he was promoted to Fire Captain and will be the first to be promoted as a Shift Commander on Monday. Jim has been an instrumental part of the Lake Tahoe Community College as a full time instructor at the Lake Tahoe Basin Fire Academy. He has taught countless CPR and first-aid classes and his management of the Department’s Fire Boat has enabled the agency to continue to respond to water rescues and emergencies. Jim has served for two years as Union President of the South Lake Tahoe Firemen’s Association. Jim has lived in South Lake Tahoe since 1989, and when he isn’t at work, he spends time with his wife Jen, their son Cameron, and their daughter Caitlyn.

Rob Hembree was first employed by the City in 1996 as a skilled mechanic member of the Motor Pool Department. He started in the fire service in 2000 as a member of the Fire Reserves and joined the South Lake Tahoe Fire Department fulltime in 2002 as a firefighter. He was promoted to Fire Engineer in July 2005, promoted to Fire Captain in January 2009 and will be the second promoted to Shift Commander on Monday. Rob has taught many CPR and first-aid classes, is a member of the Arson Investigation Task Force, Manager of the over-the side rescue and ropes program, and has instructed many classes for the firefighters in rescue safety. Rob is also the Apparatus Officer for the Fire Department and he is the Department’s very own contractor…he can build anything. Rob has lived in South Lake Tahoe since 1995, after proudly serving our country as a member of the United States Marine Corps. When he isn’t outside building something, he spends time with his wife Stacy, and their 2 daughters. Brynna and Layne.

Dan Sullivan began his career in the fire service as a member of the Fire Reserves in 1996. He joined the South Lake Tahoe Fire Department as a firefighter in June 1999. He was promoted to Fire Engineer in August 2004, and was promoted to Fire Captain in July 2005. Dan has been teaching community first-aid since 1997. He is a paramedic and is one of the original EMS Coordinators, and because of that, was instrumental in helping to develop the first Cal-Tahoe contract for ambulance service. Dan has also served as Union President of the South Lake Tahoe Firemen’s Association for two terms and has lived in South Lake Tahoe since 1967. After graduating from South Tahoe High, school he proudly served in the United States Navy. Dan has coached Little League teams and served as President of the organization. When he’s not working, he spends time with his wife Deni, and their 3 kids, Josh, Ally, and Matt, and their dog Dude.