South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue to add Fire Prevention Bureau, new deputy chief/fire marshal

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - After years of trying to do more with less, South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue (SLTFR) is making the moves necessary to better protect the community.

First on tap for the new plan is the hiring of a new Deputy Fire Chief/Fire Marshal. City Council approved the new position on Tuesday.

"I think the fire marshal position is extremely important," said SLTFR Chief Clive Savacool. This person will take on the duties of a fire inspector, fire marshal and will come with the rank of deputy chief, so will do much more.

"Our plates can't fit anymore," said Savacool. SLTFR has always had fire prevention as a priority but relied on existing staff to take care of it. The new deputy fire chief will be in charge of creating a new Fire Prevention Bureau.

South Lake Tahoe is the only large agency in the Lake Tahoe Basin without a Fire Marshal or deputy/assistant chief. Savacool said they are a very busy fire department and will still have the fewest number of firefighters of the four largest ones in the Basin. He is very appreciative of getting a new position.

"The Caldor Fire was a warning," said Savacool, even with a great deal of preparedness in the community.

The new bureau will educate the public so they are better prepared, even though Savacool says they did a great job during the Caldor Fire evacuation and with personal defensible space.

"I am proud of how well the community responded to the information in the week leading up to evacuation," said Savacool. "It was a great litmus test to see how receptive everyone is to the awareness - now we need to continue with direction and guidance."

With the new deputy chief, the community will be prepared the next time fire comes around, he added. Some of their duties:

1. Community wildfire risk reduction
2. Grant sourcing and management
3. Management and development of a Fire Prevention Bureau (FPB)
4. Public education programs
5. Community preparedness programs
6. Community evacuation planning
7. Fire investigation
8. Collaboration with stakeholders
9. Improved span of control

The job opening will soon be posted but they won't start testing until after the holidays. They'll work through the applications and tests by late January, early February and have a new deputy chief in place by spring.

"We will be open to candidates from the outside and get the best candidate. Someone with experience operationally, someone who is currently a chief officer dealing with the public, media, elected official," said Savacool. "They will then hit the ground running."

The total potential costs for the new position are $213,035 to $253,428. This includes all salary, health, CalPERS, and other benefit contributions. The position will be an unrepresented, exempt management position. A new vehicle will also need to be purchased with a value of $90,000.