July 03 -- The Bakersfield Fire Department is in new hands.
On Monday, the city held a promotion ceremony for Anthony Galagaza, who was promoted from battalion chief to fire chief.
“This is more than overwhelming,” Galagaza said during the ceremony. “Today is an honor, an absolute honor.”
Galagaza, 47, succeeds former Fire Chief Doug Greener, who retired at the end of June after eight years as chief.
“All I ever wanted to be was a Bakersfield city firefighter,” Galagaza said. “It’s definitely a dream job. I’m a second-generation firefighter, 26 years with my hometown. I couldn’t be more excited with where I am today.”
A crowd of firefighters and city representatives attended the short ceremony at the City Council Chambers. Galagaza’s father, a 30-year veteran of the city fire department, was the first to rise as the audience gave the new chief a standing ovation.
City Manager Alan Tandy gave the opening remarks.
“I always have a hard choice selecting the finalists to be a department head,” Tandy said. “Usually there’s more than one qualified applicant. But in this case, Mr. Galagaza demonstrated successful writing, speaking and leadership skills. And he has a great love for the Bakersfield Fire Department.”
Tandy said that he had known Galagaza for around 10 years. They first met when Galagaza was the leader of the firefighters union, and their relationship proved cordial in what can be a rocky affiliation.
Now that he’s the boss, Galagaza said he has some changes in mind for the department.
“I want the passion back,” he said. “And I want the passionate voices of those who want the department to advance.”
The new chief will have his hands full in the first few days of his job. The Fourth of July is the busiest time of year for the fire department. Galagaza urged Bakersfield residents to use safe and sane fireworks over the Fourth of July.
He advised citizens to avoid aerial fireworks, which he said cause injuries every year to city residents.
Looking to the future, Galagaza said his first big move as the chief will be to create a five-year strategic plan to shape the course for the department for the future.
“It’s going to be data-driven, and it’s going to be analysis-based, to where we can go and we can see what the highest hazards are throughout the city,” he said. “Also with that, we’re going to do some progressive recruitment.”
He said he plans to send recruiters to all of the city’s high schools and colleges to recruit future firefighters to the department.
The department currently has a staff of 177, putting staffing levels below that of 2008.
The 1 percent sales tax increase on the ballot this November would ostensibly allow the city to hire more fire department staff.
Galagaza has said in the past he is hopeful the measure would pass.
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