jeff meston

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - In just two weeks the City of South Lake Tahoe will be saying goodbye to its sixth police chief since becoming incorporated in 1965.

Chief Brian Uhler will be wrapping up a 40-year career in law enforcement when he retires from the South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD) on March 12, 2020. He has been the second-longest serving chief, coming within a couple of months of the City's second police chief, John Crow.

The South Lake Tahoe City Council will be holding a special meeting on Friday, December 27 at 10:30 a.m. to discuss the hiring of an interim city manager.

Current City Manager Frank Rush gave his notice to the Council on November 26 after accepting a position in Big Bear Lake, Calif. His last day with the City will be on January 24, 2020.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Citing personal reasons, the man selected to become South Lake Tahoe's next fire chief has decided to not accept the position just five days before being sworn in.

On October 23 it was announced that Ken Harrison, a former battalion chief with the Orange County Fire Authority, had accepted the position and was preparing to move to South Lake Tahoe.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Since its arrival, the 2013 model Ferrara ladder truck the City of South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue (SLTFR) purchased has been been a "lemon," and now they have reached a settlement with the manufacturer, Ferrara Fire Apparatus of Holden, Louisiana.

In 2014, City of South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue (SLTFR) took possession of a 2013 model Ferrara ladder truck at the tune of almost $1,050,000. It was purchased to replace the aging ladder truck SLTFR had from 1982 and was paid for with funds from California sales tax money devoted to public safety.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - For almost 18 years the California Tahoe Emergency Services Operations Authority (CTESOA) has been providing ambulance service to the portions of El Dorado County at Lake Tahoe and parts of northwestern Alpine County through a Joint Powers Authority (JPA).

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Fire Chief Jeff Meston is retiring from South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue (SLTFR) on February 28, five years and five months after he came out of retirement to head up the department.

On Friday, February 1, Meston submitted his resignation to the City.

"When I was hired by CM (City Manager) Kerry I promised to spend between 3-5 years with the City Fire Department and bring them as far as I could to be a “world class” fire department," Meston said in his resignation letter.

He feels he's accomplished what he set out to do.

As we close out a challenging year for California’s fire service, leadership from California Fire Chiefs Association, Fire Districts Association of California, League of Cities Fire Chiefs Department and Metro Chiefs met this week with Governor-Elect Newsom’s staff to set the stage for 2019 and establish a working relationship with the incoming administration.

South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue Chief Jeff Meston is now the president of the California Fire Chief's Association (CalChiefs). The 925 voting members of the association voted in Meston and he just completed one year as president-elect. On Friday, September 28, he was sworn into the position with some from South Lake Tahoe making the trip to Sacramento to be there for the big day.

This is not only the first time a chief from South Lake Tahoe has been elected to the state's top spot for fire chiefs, but also the first time anyone has from cities along the Sierra Nevada.

11:00 a.m. update 9/11/18 - Douglas County Sheriff's Office is reporting that two men went into the water and that one, a man in his 30s, has not been found at this time. The other man was transported to the hospital.

On Monday, underwater drones and K9s were used in the water along with law enforcement boats to aid in the search.

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LAKE TAHOE, Nev. - Multiple agencies spent Sunday night and most of Monday searching for a person who reportedly jumped off a boat near Nevada Beach.

South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue welcomed four new firefighter paramedics to their family during a pinning ceremony at the airport Thursday. They also celebrated the promotion of Kevin Van Kirk to Engineer and honored retired Batalion Chief Tim Spencer.

"Fire service is really about family," said Chief Jeff Meston and he opened the ceremony. "This is a special day for South Lake Tahoe."

He explained how tough it is to get a new firefighter on board. There are tests, boards and interviews.

South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue has invited the public to their Fire and Life Safety Protection meeting on Tuesday, July 24 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Fire Training Center located at 1195 Rufus Allen Blvd.

Fire Chief Jeff Meston will present the community’s risk assessment and fire operations "Standards of Cover" document.

There will be time for questions and answers and refreshments will be served.

The author shared the following letter with South Tahoe Now that was sent to SLT Fire Chief Jeff Meston concerning fire safety and the responsibility of all public agencies to assist him and the Department in this effort. "Best wishes to you and the men and women of the Fire Department," said Jinkens.

Dear Chief Meston:

First of all, my sincere thanks to you and the men and women who serve our community in the Fire Service. I am grateful for all of your work and effort to keep our community fire safe and to respond to emergency calls for service.

South Tahoe Fire Rescue graduated another session of South Tahoe Action Team (STAT) graduates during yesterday’s city council meeting.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - For four months, Fire Chief Jeff Meston worked as the City's acting city manager, and today he was recognized for his extra service.

During Tuesday's City Council meeting, Meston was awarded with a certificate of appreciation from the Council for taking on the duties from February 7, 2018 to June 5, 2018.

“Chief Meston is not only recognized statewide but also nationally for his numerous accomplishments in the fire world. He took on the duty of Acting City Manager 100% and with grace, with intellect, with wisdom and with experience,” said Mayor Wendy David.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Prothman Executive Recruitment has been hired by the City of South Lake Tahoe to conduct searches for the next city attorney and city manager, but the process to find an interim city manager will be conducted in house, for now.

During Tuesday's City Council meeting, Brad Robbins of Prothman Executive Recruitment was the only representative of the three companies who submitted proposals to show up.

In the South Lake Tahoe public safety communication system installed in 1965, there are three major problems:

1) There are three systems working totally separately: the police, fire and public works departments;

2) Trees have grown since the system was installed 53 years ago, now blocking signals through the town;

3) Having functioning radio frequencies near water is challenging.

South Lake Tahoe Fire Chief Jeff Meston has given the city council a 30-day notice for his acting city manager job.

"I am unable to complete my duties as the fire chief while working as the acting city manager," Meston said in a letter to the council. "I respectfully request that we move ahead in the next 30 days to find and hire an interim city manager. I believe the City will be better served with a professional city manager."

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Last October, California experienced a series of devastating wildfires that destroyed property and took lives. In a four month period the State endured fires and floods from San Diego to Mendocino that destroyed over 11,000 homes and commercial structures and killed 64 Californians. Local Government fire and rescue personnel and equipment comprised up to 80 percent available resources for mutual aid throughout the State. The City of South Lake Tahoe Fire Department along with other fire agencies around the basin engaged in these critical fire fights.

South Lake Tahoe voters went to the polls on November 8, 2016 and approved Measure P, a Tourist Accommodation Tax (TOT) increase of two percent to fund a new $25 million recreation complex in the city.

Now that new center is at jeopardy.

The South Lake Tahoe City Council has accepted Nancy Kerry's resignation letter.

At the end of closed session Tuesday, March 6, the announcement was made.

"We have accepted the resignation of Nancy Kerry effective immediately and have accepted a settlement agreement with Ms. Kerry," said Mayor Wendy David.

"It's been an absolutely wonderful experience," Kerry told South Tahoe Now. "Such a great honor to be the city manager of this beautiful community."

A hearing at the Capitol in Sacramento Tuesday will feature fire experts from across the state, and South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue Chief Jeff Meston will be part of the panel discussion.

The South Lake Tahoe City Council held a special closed session meeting on Monday to discuss matters surrounding City Manager Nancy Kerry.

The over two-hour meeting concluded with no reportable action, according to City Council.

"We will be providing no further comment," they said.

The South Lake Tahoe City Council announced today that City Manager Nancy Kerry is on indefinite leave. South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue Chief Jeff Meston has been appointed as the acting City Manager.

Kerry has been with the City since 2008, working in various departments and moving into the City Manager position August 21, 2012

"City Council will not be making any additional comments to respect Ms. Kerry’s privacy," according to a press release issued Wednesday.

A fire that started in a bathroom at the El Dorado County Mental Health offices in South Lake Tahoe is under investigation.

The small fire was reported at 4:54 p.m. on Thursday, January 11. It started in a toilet at the offices located at 1900 Lake Tahoe Boulevard. Employees were evacuated but an employee was able to put the fire out with an extinguisher.

South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue responded. According to SLTFR Chief Jeff Meston the crews ventilate the building as there was a lot of smoke in the building.