Fire consultant and Interim Fire Chief Jeff LaTendresse was hired to serve as the fire chief of the newly established City of Canyon Fire Department. The new fire department will begin serving the city on January 1, 2022.
LaTendresse, accompanied by his wife, Mindy, and firefighter son, Cody, was sworn in and took the oath of office during the November 3 City Council meeting.
In February, LaTendresse was chosen out of a candidate pool of 38 applicants to serve as Canyon Lake’s new fire consultant/interim fire chief. Since then, LaTendresse has worked alongside the city manager, city staff, and the Fire Ad Hoc Committee to establish a municipal fire department owned and operated by the City of Canyon Lake.
In his role as interim fire chief, LaTendresse worked to procure apparatus and materials, hire staff, build regional relationships with other agencies and worked with other local fire departments to execute mutual aid agreements to ensure that Canyon Lake will be able to provide and receive necessary assistance in the event of a major emergency.
“Chief LaTendresse has truly exceeded all expectations,” City Manager Chris Mann said. “His experience, work ethic, judgement, and attitude have all been exceptional. In addition, he has proven himself to be a team player and has been a great fit within the organization. The city saw no reason to look elsewhere to fill the fire chief position.”
As LaTendresse begins his work as a full-time city employee, he will receive and inspect the new fire engines and command vehicles and finalize the work to be done for needed renovations to the city’s sole fire station. He will also complete training for the entirety of the new fire department staff and receive, catalog, and put into service new firefighting equipment.
LaTendresse comes to Canyon Lake with 30 plus years of fire and EMS experience, having held almost every position in the fire service while working his way up the ranks in departments throughout southern California, most recently serving as fire chief for the Laguna Beach Fire Department. 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.
“It has been such a pleasure working with the city council, city manager, and dedicated city staff over the past nine months to make this dream of a Canyon Lake Fire Department a reality, and it is truly an honor to be sworn in as the city’s first fire chief,” LaTendresse said.
“Starting a brand-new fire department from scratch is a unique opportunity that most never experience in their entire careers. I am confident that the Canyon Lake Fire Department will serve the community exceptionally well and will become a source of pride for the residents of this little bit of paradise.”
The LaTendresses recently sold their home in Orange County and purchased a home in Canyon Lake. Mindy LaTendresse has a background in building and safety and was hired in September as a building permit technician in the city’s revamped Building Department. They have quickly embraced the Canyon Lake lifestyle, purchasing a boat, placing an order for a golf cart, and becoming regulars at community events.
