Turlock Fire Department has new leader, a national trainer and former chief

Turlock has named its new fire chief, hiring an instructor from the National Fire Academy in Maryland to fill the post.

Bob Talloni will take the post Dec. 14, but was in town Wednesday with his wife, Karen, to meet community leaders and look for a house, he said. He is the 11th chief in Turlock’s 107-year history.

At a reception held at the Public Safety Training Center, Talloni said he intends to be a hands-on chief, spending time at the stations and riding along on calls as time permits. But his top priority will be developing his staff, he said.

“Decentralizing the decision-making, making them confident in their abilities,” he said. “Let’s use our officers’ sound judgment.”

Turlock’s new chief is also a fan of solid bore, or smooth bore, nozzles – the old-school equipment favored by the Modesto Fire Department. The detail is a rumbling county controversy as Turlock and most other county departments use combination nozzles, the style that replaced smooth bore in the 1960s. The two types of nozzles are not interchangeable, an issue as departments rub elbows at large fire scenes.

“Solid bore has better reach and penetration,” Talloni said. It provides a narrow, direct stream instead of the wide spray of the combination nozzle that turns to a burning, fogging steam, he continued.

“Your worst enemy at a fire scene is not fire, it’s steam,” he said.

His choice of nozzle is indicative of the progressive direction he leans, Talloni said. “I’m big on fire history and tradition, but the fire service needs to move forward.”

Talloni served as fire chief in Harrisburg, Penn., from 2010 until taking the teaching post in 2013. His previous stint as chief followed a 33-year career in Norwalk, Conn., where he rose through the ranks to be deputy fire chief. He holds a master’s in public administration, awarded in 2013 by the University of New Haven.

“Chief Talloni stood out in the application and interview process because of his decades of experience, his confident leadership, and his willingness to tackle our pressing department issues in a collaborative way,” said Turlock Mayor Gary Soiseth in announcing the appointment.

“As an amateur boxer, Chief Talloni possesses the determination to lead our talented group of firefighters in a positive direction,” Soiseth said.

Talloni’s appointment fills the seat left vacant since the retirement of former Chief Tim Lohman in September. Lohman, who has a family almond farm, had a 35-year career with the Turlock department, and now manages the Northern Merced Hulling Association. Police Chief Rob Jackson served dual duty in the interim.

City Manager Roy Wasden will be the next to leave, retiring in December. Municipal Services Director Michael Cooke has been tapped to manage city affairs until a permanent city manager is found.

“Chief Talloni is a standout leader with national experience and is exactly the leader we need for our community and the Turlock Fire Department at this time,” Wasden said in the city announcement. “In addition to being a great leader for the Fire Department, he will be a great addition to the city’s executive team.”

This story was originally published November 24, 2015 at 5:58 PM with the headline "Turlock Fire Department has new leader, a national trainer and former chief."