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Livermore-Pleasanton Fire Chief Joe Testa is retiring from the department after nearly three years at the helm, planning to step down during next year once his permanent successor is hired.
Testa, who has been a local firefighter for almost three decades, confirmed the news to the Weekly but deferred further comment until closer to his departure.
The retirement plan was first revealed in the agenda packet for Tuesday night’s Pleasanton City Council meeting, during which the dais is set to be asked whether to authorize Testa to technically retire next week but remain on board as interim fire chief until a permanent successor is selected.
“During the recruitment process, appointing an interim fire chief is crucial, as the position is critical to maintaining adequate staffing for emergency response, negotiation of EMS and other public safety services, and emergency preparedness,” Pleasanton city management analyst Sandra Williams wrote in a staff report to the council.
“Chief Testa has the experience and unique skills to serve the City’s needs in the interim by providing organizational stability and leadership to ensure a smooth transition to the permanently appointed fire chief,” Williams added.
Pleasanton handles personnel management for the joint fire department with Livermore, but Williams noted that the recommendation from Pleasanton City Manager Gerry Beaudin is backed by Livermore City Manager Marianna Marysheva. The two leaders serve as co-executive directors of the joint powers authority that oversees the Livermore-Pleasanton Fire Department.
Testa has led LPFD since being promoted in April 2022 as the permanent successor to Jeff Peters. Testa joined the department early in his career as a firefighter in Pleasanton in 1996 before the consolidation of the two cities’ fire services. He rose through the ranks to become deputy chief in 2015, and he worked a half-year stint as interim fire chief from April to September 2021 before getting the gig full time six months later.
According to Williams, Testa recently informed the city that he wants to put in for retirement effective Dec. 9 but would be willing to remain on as interim chief under retired annuitant status until the next permanent chief is hired, a process that is expected to last no later than Aug. 31.
In order for Testa to start as interim right away, the council must approve a waiver to the state law requiring a 180-day waiting period before a retiree can reenter public employment. As a retired annuitant, he would be limited to 960 working hours during the fiscal year and he would be paid an hourly rate of $137.03 while being ineligible for benefits, vacation leave or holidays from the department.
The Pleasanton council meeting is set to start at 7 p.m. Tuesday (Dec. 3) at the Civic Center Complex on Old Bernal Avenue. Chief Testa is not related to Pleasanton Vice Mayor Julie Testa.
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