Fire Captain Steve Vance

I started my career with BHFD on February 1, 1982 after attending both Rio Hondo and South Bay fire academies. This was my first and only department as a Firefighter.

With just over one year on the department, my knowledge and passion for rope rescue systems was noticed, and I was selected to attend the first “Heavy Rescue” course at Port Hueneme. This was to be the very start of our department’s “Technical Rescue (USAR)” program.

In 1984, I had the exciting opportunity of attending Paramedic School; graduating first in my class. As a Paramedic, I brought introduced new concepts, equipment, and procedures. Being the first class to become certified in Endotracheal Intubation, I was appointed as the region's trainer responsible for certifying medics from our department as well as other local departments. As the medical purchasing agent, I researched and updated our EMS rescue equipment with products such as the Miller Board, Sager Splint, and high-powered suction units. Immediately out of medic school, I worked closely with Ray Navarro to create and maintain our department's first EMT program and served as lead EMT instructor. Breaking the tradition of the white modular ambulance, I forged the movement to justify a change to the medium-duty Freightliner Rescue, currently utilized.

In 1995, I promoted to Fire Captain and am currently assigned to Engine 3, B-Shift. Since that time, I have served as company officer on every apparatus. In 2003, I took the assignment of Administrative Captain. During that 3-year assignment, I worked closely with several Deputy Chiefs to develop new programs and policies and improve existing ones. I served as the department’s rep on a team that designed and built the 8-million dollar public safety radio system; a project that took over 3 years. This experience directed me to working with the entire region to develop a region-wide channel plan that coordinated every department's radio channel layout there-by solving decades of communication problems during mutual aid assignments.

I continued dedicating myself to streamlining our operations through better workflows. My technical knowledge helped me establish a relationship with our city IT department. Though leaving that position in 2006, I still remain extremely active in the world of technology; the MDC project is one example. After several failed iterations, I have managed to design and implement our department’s first function MDC system despite huge obstacles such as old software, a weak cellular network, and less-than-optimal topography.

In 2008, I was accepted to serve on a special assignment for the Department of Homeland Security. I joined dozens of other agencies as we formed a multi-jurisdictional task force to plan for critical incidents. I used my expertise to create the network and infrastructure to conduct business using the many different forms of communications, computers, etc. One of our first assignments was to develop a regional Mass Evacuation Plan.

I don’t think one can fully appreciate working in Beverly Hills until they have served a full career and are ready to retire. The reason I say this, is because I can look back and reflect on my life as a rookie, young firefighter, veteran, and now a senior officer on the department. With all the appreciation I have for a beautiful city, great equipment, and terrific support from our city’s government, the thing I appreciate the most is the people I get to work with. The caliber and personal qualities of our firefighters are something unique and truly special. I’ve always said how difficult it will be to leave a place in which, at any time, I can engage in a conversation with a least ONE person who is an expert on virtually ANY topic imaginable. In comparison to any other workforce, I am privileged.

My hopes for retirement is to continue using my skills, knowledge, and expertise to serve others, whether public safety or private entities. As others believe, I feel my love and deep knowledge of Apple products and technology will, no doubt, lead me in that direction.

I also plan to keep active, doing the physical things I love such as skiing, biking, fly-fishing; hopefully, visiting many different places.