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After nearly three decades of battling fires and two years leading the department, Livermore Pleasanton Fire Department chief Joe Testa officially retired from his post last week, handing the reins to his deputy chief who is currently serving as interim leader.
Saturday (Aug. 16) marked LPFD deputy chief Aaron Lacey’s first day as interim fire chief, immediately after Testa’s last day Friday, according to a press release from the department.
“Chief Lacey brings the tools, experience and commitment needed to continue moving the department forward. With a broad background spanning administration, operations, and specialized areas of the fire service, he is well prepared for this role. I wish him every success as he takes the reins,” Testa said in the Aug. 18 press release.
Testa began his career at LPFD as a firefighter-paramedic in 1996 before quickly rising through the ranks. Throughout his tenure, he served as an engineer, captain, battalion chief and deputy chief before he was promoted to fire chief in 2022 as the permanent successor to Jeff Peters.
Testa was also a member of the California Fire Chiefs Association and the International Association of Fire Chiefs, served as an incident commander for the East Bay Incident Management Team and served as president of the Alameda County Fire Chiefs Association Operations and Communications Sections, according to the press release.
“Throughout his career, he demonstrated a visionary and strategic approach to emergency management and organizational leadership that left a lasting impact on the department,” LPFD officials said of Testa.
The now-former fire chief first confirmed his retirement plans to the Weekly back in December prior to the Dec. 3 Pleasanton City Council meeting, which included an agendized item for the council to authorize Testa to technically retire that same month, but remain on board as interim fire chief until a permanent successor was selected.
Many members of the City Council at the time thanked Testa for his numerous years of service to both Pleasanton and Livermore, as well as his commitment to remain on the job while the department figured out its next move.
As of now, Lacey’s time at the helm is set to be temporary but it is not clear what the timeline will be for picking a permanent replacement.
“My hope is to do a great job and have an opportunity to serve in the permanent role,” Lacey told the Weekly Monday afternoon.
According to the agency, Lacey joined LPFD in 2005 and has since served as fire captain and fire battalion before he was promoted to the role of deputy chief in 2020. He also previously served as interim fire chief for a brief time in 2021, prior to Testa being named chief.
“It’s humbling and an honor to serve our members and the communities of Livermore and Pleasanton as interim fire chief,” Lacey said. “I look forward to working collaboratively to make our organization great in every way possible.”
