South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue holds pinning ceremony

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue (SLTFR) recently held a pinning ceremony for two of their team members, Jay Manning and Wade Norberg. Manning was promoted to Fuels Division Chief, and Norberg is a new hire who transferred to SLTFR from the Dixon Fire Department.

The celebration was attended by SLTFR staff, the Lake Valley Fire Department, the South Lake Tahoe Police Department, the City of South Lake Tahoe staff, the chipping crew, family, and friends.

SLTFR Chief Jim Drennan welcomed everyone and shared that with Norberg's addition, the department is now fully staffed for the first time in ten years. He thanked the city council for the changes they've approved for enhanced protection of the community.

Manning has been with SLTFR for five years, moving to the South Shore from Visalia, Calif. He has made major improvements to the department's communications system, moving them "light years ahead, and has been serving as a battalion chief. Manning's new position is 100 percent grant-funded.

"He has been a great addition," said Drennan of Manning. Jay was pinned by his wife Stephanie.

Norberg was already a South Lake Tahoe resident and he commuted to Dixon for his fire shifts. He is a 2011 graduate of South Tahoe High, attended Santa Barbara City College, Auburn, and then returned to attend the fire academy at Lake Tahoe Community College. Norberg volunteered at Fallen Leaf Lake Fire before being hired at Dixon Fire Department full-time.

"We're excited to have Wade and see what he can do," said Drennan.

"I love Tahoe," said Wade. "It will be a better commute!" He was pinned by his wife Dani.