Atascadero celebrates fire department promotions, welcomes three new firefighters

By Hayley Mattson · Fri Nov 13 2026

Council receives public safety updates, previews holiday events, and prepares for a change in membership

ATASCADERO — Ten internal promotions and three new firefighters marked a celebration for Atascadero Fire & Emergency Services ahead of the City Council’s Nov. 10 meeting, bringing colleagues, families and city leaders together to recognize the department’s personnel. The ceremony included badge pinnings and ceremonial oaths of office for the new hires, recognizing employees moving into leadership positions and welcoming the department’s newest members.

During his report to the council, City Manager Jim Lewis highlighted the significance of promoting personnel from within the department.

“What a neat time to see the future of our fire department and the commitment and the passion they have for fire service,” Lewis said.

The promotions included Dave Van Son to fire chief; Andrew Luera and Brandon Roberts to battalion chief; Zachariah Jackson, Colette Layton and Alexander Gentilly to fire captain; Tom Little to fire captain/fire marshal; and Brett Hildebrand, Cody Ferris, and Kaden Groseclose to fire engineer.

The department also welcomed firefighters Alexander Harvey, Mitchell Ray, and Tyler Moore.

Lewis said the new firefighters had participated in an Oct. 30 live-fire training exercise attended by Councilmember Susan Funk and Assistant City Manager Lara Henderson.

Funk later described the training as an impressive opportunity to watch firefighters repeatedly practice entering and exiting a burning environment. She encouraged other councilmembers to attend similar training when possible to better understand the conditions firefighters encounter.

Layton received additional recognition during the council meeting. Lewis announced that she had been named Atascadero’s Firefighter of the Year and honored at an Elks Club public safety appreciation dinner.

The recognition was a central highlight of a brief council meeting that also included city business, upcoming community events, and preparations for a transition on the dais.

Mayor Charles Bourbeau opened the meeting by noting it was Councilmember Heather Newsom’s last full meeting. Newsom’s daughter led the Pledge of Allegiance.

The four councilmembers present approved the consent calendar, with Newsom recusing herself from specified portions of a zoning code update because the decisions affected property within 500 feet of her real property interest.

No members of the public spoke during the consent calendar comment period or the community forum, and the council had no additional substantive agenda items following the city manager’s report.

Lewis also previewed a busy holiday season, beginning with Christmas at Santa Margarita Ranch, scheduled for Nov. 27 through Dec. 20. He said Visit Atascadero’s role as the event’s official lodging partner offers an opportunity to encourage visitors to spend time dining and shopping in the city.

Downtown festivities will begin Dec. 4 with Light Up the Downtown from 5:30 to 8 p.m., along with the Holiday Sip and Shop. Lewis said residents can expect a new lighting display, Santa, a Model A fire truck, hayrides and hot chocolate.

The holiday schedule continues with Walk Around the Lake on Dec. 5 from 5:30 to 9 p.m. and Winter Wonderland on Dec. 11 from 5 to 9 p.m. Lewis said Winter Wonderland will bring 70 tons of snow downtown for the free community celebration.

Holiday Magic at the Charles Paddock Zoo is scheduled for Dec. 19 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., featuring gifts for the animals that support enrichment.

Lewis also urged residents to prepare their properties for approaching rain by checking drainage and watching weather forecasts. He said city crews had spent several weeks clearing culverts and preparing public areas.

Bourbeau thanked Lewis for personally placing American flags along El Camino Real ahead of Veterans Day, continuing a tradition carried on by the late Lon Allen.

As the meeting concluded, Bourbeau said the next meeting, on Dec. 8, would include a farewell to Newsom and the swearing-in of newly elected officials. He identified Mike Avila as the apparent incoming council member, while qualifying that assessment as preliminary.

The transition, Bourbeau said, would allow the council to “begin anew.”