The board of directors for the Lebanon Fire District finalized an agreement with Chief Joseph Rodondi to replace Fire Chief Gordon Sletmoe, who announced his retirement in May.
Sletmoe has since remained at LFD to help find his replacement, and to work on a bond project for a station and key apparatus. Rodondi will assume his new position December 1.
“Chief Rodondi is a good fit for the position,” Sletmoe said. “He is extremely well qualified, recognizes the value of the team we have built at the Fire District, and understands the importance of community.”
Chief Rodondi has over 30 years of fire service experience. He was with the Livermore-Pleasanton Fire Department in California from 1997-2015, beginning as a Firefighter/Paramedic and progressing through the ranks as Fire Engineer, Captain, Battalion Chief, and finally Deputy Fire Chief from 2010-2015, when he retired as Deputy Fire Chief/Acting Fire Chief.
Prior to serving the Livermore-Pleasanton Fire Department, he was with the San Bruno, California, Fire Department from 1985-1997, where he was a Firefighter/Acting Fire Captain and Fire Mechanic. Chief Rodondi has an Associate of Science degree in Fire Science from the College of San Mateo in California, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from the University of Phoenix.
“I would like to thank the Fire Board for the honor of serving as Lebanon’s next Fire Chief,” Rodondi said. “I consider it a privilege to serve an organization of dedicated staff that places a high value on providing outstanding customer service. My family and I have found Lebanon to be warm and welcoming. We look forward to being part of such a wonderful community.”
Twenty-four candidates applied for the position, and five finalists were interviewed by the Fire District and members of the community. Chief Rodondi is currently in the process of relocating to the Lebanon area with his wife Debra, daughter Veronica, and son Dante. His other daughter, Ashley, lives in Florida, and looks forward to visiting her family in their new home.
five Lebanon Fire District staffers, who have been promoted, at the Oct.
1 Fire District Board meeting. Photo courtesy of Lebanon Fire District
LFD also has promoted five of its staff: new Division Chief of Training Mark Fitzwater, Battalion Chief Brett Kibble, Lt. Blaine Suing, Engineer Bryce Maclennan, and Firefighter Jason Carroll were all pinned during the Oct. 1 board meeting.