On Friday, Jan. 10, 2020, at 10 a.m., the Stockton Fire Department will hold a Fire Chief Change of Command and Badge Pinning Ceremony at the Stockton Memorial Civic Auditorium, 525 N. Center Street. All members of the community are welcome to attend.
Chief Edwards will replace Chief Dave Rudat, who has been serving as Interim Fire Chief since July. The Change of Command Ceremony honors a tradition within the fire service. To symbolize this transition, Interim Chief Rudat will pass a speaking trumpet to incoming Chief Edwards. Historically, engineers and officers, including the fire chief, directed and managed the fire company by issuing commands using a large speaking trumpet; in the days before amplification, it was the only way to be heard over the noise and commotion of a fire scene.
Friday’s ceremony will also include a badge pinning for Chief Edwards, and promotion of five members of the department to the rank of Fire Captain: Bob Newman, Guillermo Reyes, Xavier Ricci, Ryan Smart and Jeff Young. Chief Edwards will receive his pin from his wife of 16 years, Jennifer. All the Fire Captains have selected a significant person in their lives to participate and present their pins.
Other ceremonial details include a benediction by Fire Chaplain Mark Butler, presentation of the colors by the Stockton Fire Honor Guard, and the National Anthem sung by Fire Department employees Julie Lorch and Janice Machado.
For additional information, please contact the Stockton Fire Department Administration Office at (209) 937-8801.