Livermore-Pleasanton Fire Chief Peters Retiring After 31 Years

TRI-VALLEY, CA — Livermore-Pleasanton Fire Department Chief Jeff Peters has retired after 31 years of serving the community.

The Livermore native retired Friday and will be temporarily replaced by Deputy Fire Chiefs Joe Testa and Aaron Lacey, who will each serve a six-month rotation while the cities of Livermore and Pleasanton begin a search for the department's next chief. Testa will first serve as interim chief, according to a news release from Livermore and Pleasanton.

Peters began his career as a volunteer firefighter in 1990 before coming onboard full-time in 1992. He holds a bachelor's degree in health scene from Moraga's St. Mary's College and has served in every role at the fire department. He was the first internal promotion to fire chief since the department was created in 1996.

Peters served on the Alameda County Regional Emergency Communication Center Advisory Board, Las Positas College Fire Technology Advisory Board and the East Bay Regional Communications System Authority. He was a member of the International Association of Fire Chiefs, California Fire Chiefs Association and Alameda County Fire Chiefs Association.

“Chief Peters has left his mark on our communities,” said Livermore City Manager Marc Roberts in the news release. "Throughout his various ranks, he helped develop the culture and significantly move the department forward. We thank him for his service and will miss him tremendously. We wish him a long and happy retirement."

Pleasanton City Manager Nelson Fialho lauded Peters for his professionalism and extraordinary leadership, "particularly during an unprecedented time of a pandemic and wildfires."

“His commitment and compassion to service to our shared communities will be long remembered," Fialho wrote.