New Interim Fire Chief busy buying fire engines, hiring department staff

BY Ariana Shah

Jeff LaTendresse just couldn’t resist throwing his hat in the ring for the unique opportunity to build a municipal fire department from scratch. He had retired four years ago, but eagerly and enthusiastically decided to re-enter the workforce and apply for the City of Canyon Lake Interim Fire Chief job.

“During the time I was retired, my son was training at the fire academy,” Jeff said. “While helping him out, I remembered how passionate I was about my career. I am a young person at heart. I have a ton of energy. I just knew I had to apply for this job.”

He’s not just talking about a temporary one-and-done contract with the city.

Jeff LaTendresse, the new Interim Fire Chief of the new City of Canyon Lake Fire Department. Photo by Ariana Shah

“I am honored and humbled to be the interim fire chief. I will be applying for the permanent position,” Jeff said. “I cannot wait to work with the staff and this incredible city. I’m excited to make this city proud.”

Jeff will work under the direction of the City Manager and alongside city staff and the City Council’s Fire Ad Hoc Committee to establish a municipal fire department owned and operated by the City of Canyon Lake. The new fire department will go live as the new Canyon Lake Fire Department on Jan. 1.

“I have over 30 years of experience under my belt,” he said. “I started as a firefighter Explorer at 17. I just fell in love with my career since then.”

His first day on the job was Feb. 1 and he’s hit the ground running.

“My highest priority is ordering the fire equipment,” he said. “I will be ordering a Type 1 Structural fire engine and a Type 6 Wildland fire engine.”

From there, it will be time to staff the department.

“My second priority is hiring the right people for the job,” Jeff said. “I am looking for people who fit the job and the community. I’m looking for people who have great experience and can lead and teach one another.”

The Canyon Lake Fire Station will still be located at Station 60. In addition to the Type 1 and Type 6 engines, the existing Engine 60 will be utilized. There will be three firefighters on duty at the station, including a captain, engineer and paramedic. There will also be an administrative assistant along with the chief. Jeff said he will also employ a cavalry of reserved firefighters, out of which one of them will be working every day.

Jeff currently resides in San Clemente for the time being.

“I’ve already come out here, and I’ve looked at different houses,” he said. “I’m hoping I can make it happen that I can live here in Canyon Lake. I’d love to live near the station.”

Jeff has held almost every position in the fire service while working his way up the ranks in Southern California departments. He is also a veteran of the United States Air Force, having served abroad as a Fire Protection Specialist responding to aerospace, structural and medical emergencies.

Jeff retired from the Laguna Beach Fire Department in 2017, where he served in various positions for 20 years, the last five years as Fire Chief. Before that, he served as a Battalion Chief and Fire Marshal for the Cathedral City Fire Department, an Engineer and Paramedic for the Indio Fire Department, an Emergency Medical Technician for McCormick Ambulance Service, a Paid-Call Firefighter for the Apple Valley Fire Protection District and a Fire Explorer for the Redondo Beach Fire Department.

Out of a sea of 38 highly-qualified applicants, Jeff was chosen as Canyon Lake’s new Interim Fire Chief. His experience and demeanor allowed him to shine above the others, City Manager Chris Mann said.

“He impressed the interview panel, demonstrating that he possesses the right knowledge, attitude and work ethic to get the job done,” Chris said. “I’m confident that we found the right individual to help us stand-up our Canyon Lake fire department.”

Chris is excited and eager to work with the new Interim Fire Chief.

“We are very grateful to hire Jeff,” Chris said. “We picked him out through such an extensive process; it was very comprehensive. He’s just the right guy for the job.”