SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue held its annual pinning ceremony Tuesday, celebrating the advancement of four members of its team, along with new hires who have recently joined the agency.
Fire Chief Jim Drennan announced two fire department command staff promotions. Battalion Chief Karl Koeppen has become the first person to hold the rank of deputy chief of operations, and Captain Tom Kerley has moved up to become the newest battalion chief. He will be overseeing the newly formed prevention bureau.
Chief Koeppen has been with the department since 2002 and with the City since 1999, holding several leadership positions over the last 18 years. Chief Kerley came to SLTFR in 2022 with extensive experience in the fire service in Douglas County as well as in Jackson County, Oregon.
Chief Drennan said, “Both chief officers have shown tremendous leadership ability and will continue to help guide the department. Our focus is to build and maintain strong relationships with our partner agencies in the basin, and I am confident they will excel in their new roles.”
Two other promotions were celebrated – Tom Jones now holds the rank of fire captain, and Blake Sturdivan was promoted to fire engineer in the badge pinning ceremony. Jones previously worked in the Bay Area, and Sturdivan had a few stops between Modesto and South Lake Tahoe.
The two newest members of the department also participated in the pinning ceremony: Brent Tajkowski and Josh Lanning.
