Fremont government and firefighter officials—former and current—came together on Tuesday, Jan. 14 to attend a milestone event in their city. Fremont Fire Department held their official 14th Company Grand Opening at Fire Station 6 in Fremont’s Centerville District. The new 14th Fire Company consists of a new fire truck and nine firefighters at the Central Avenue fire station.
With fire safety on the forefront of the minds of many due to the catastrophic southern California fires, a new fire company in the most populated city in the Tri-City area, is a win for Fremont residents and neighbors alike.
“Fremont is one of the few communities in the region actively investing in public safety by increasing our fire department budget and our priority in firefighters,” said Fremont Mayor Raj Salwan. “This commitment ensures faster response times for our residents, enhanced service delivery and greater protection for all of our residents.”
The ceremony was held in the Station 6 Fire Department building on Central Avenue. Minutes before speeches began, a group of firefighters entered a fire truck, turned on its siren and swiftly pulled out of the station demonstrating how, even while being honored, firefighters never stop serving the public.
The road to the new fire company began over 20 years ago, explained Fremont Fire Chief Zoraida Diaz. It began with former Fire Chief Jeffery Thomas. “Fire Chief Jeffery Thomas decided to put together a plan for the fire department that started with expansion,” explained Diaz.
In 2004, Chief Thomas identified multiple ways to improve the fire department as a whole and one of them was to add a fire company in the City of Fremont. It was recommended to move a truck from Station 1 on Mowry Avenue to Station 6 to support the growth of the community. “Unfortunately,” Diaz said, “it was not something that was feasible [at that time].”
In 2020, it was reaffirmed that a new company was necessary in the city. “2022 and 2023 was a good year for us in terms of budget, and the city as well,” Diaz continued. “In 2022 and 2023 city leadership, as well as elected officials, supported us as a 14th company to purchase the truck.”
Fire truck 56 serves as a milestone piece of equipment for the Fire Department, but Osh Ahmad, President of Fremont Firefighters Association, acknowledged the team of firefighters that make up the new 14th company. “Our firefighters [are] the heart and soul of this department. You are the ones who will take this truck into the streets. Your bravery, commitment and sacrifice is the reason why we have this company in service now.”
Chief Diaz gathered all Fremont government leaders and 14th Company firefighters to stand together as she officially placed the 14th Company into service by radioing in, “It is my honor and privilege to place truck 56 in service at quarters.” She then introduced Zack Trask who presented the 14th Company’s Engineer Jason Wyatt and Paramedic, Tiller Paul Nadarisay.
With safety preparedness being held in question in many cities and communities around California, firefighter and government leaders in Fremont celebrate this occasion crediting the city’s team work with the Fire Department.
“Public safety is the cornerstone of a thriving community,” said Mayor Salwan. “It’s a commitment that we share in the City of Fremont. Today’s event is a testament to our collective vision for a safer and stronger Fremont.”
