By Kathy Lera

Retired and present members of the Los Altos Police and Fire departments gathered June 21 at the Los Altos Youth Center to celebrate 50 years of providing public safety.

Retired LAPD officer Lee Lera, chairman and master of ceremonies, thanked the attendees who had traveled from Oregon, Nevada, Arizona and as far away as Florida to attend.

“This gathering shows that none of us look at being a cop or fire fighter as a job but, rather as a life choice,” Lera said. “I was lucky enough to have worked in Los Altos for 16 years and I formed friendships that I will have for the rest of my life. And I know the same goes for the rest of you.”

Lera thanked committee members, Tom Connelly, Bob Haag, John Ford, Bob Matthews and Tony Mederios for organizing the reunion, and the Los Altos History Museum and Los Altos Town Crier for their assistance with storyboards depicting the history of the departments.

Retired Police Chief Roland Renshaw recalled the early days in 1953 under the first chief, Joseph H. McClellan, with a total of four sworn officers. Two call boxes, one on El Camino Real and one at Loyola Corners, and pay phones were the only communication links before radios. The chief handled the phone at the station, located at 155 First St., next to Casey’s Garage and City Hall. Officers drove vehicles borrowed from Tuban Ford in Mountain View.

Retired Chief Lucy Carlton and current Police Chief Johnson contrasted that with the current department staffed with 33 sworn officers and police dogs, and equipped with laptop computers, a self-contained communications center and a fleet of city-owned vehicles.

Retired Fire Battalion Chief Vince Riley recalled the early days of the Fire District. When he started in 1952, the district consisted of one station on State Street under the command of Chief Dick Bassett. Riley said they worked with limited equipment and manpower, but always managed to get the job done. Eventually, headquarters was moved to Almond Avenue and two additional stations were added — Loyola and El Monte.

Former Chief Doug Dawson discussed changes in the fire department during his tenure starting in 1968. The last LAFD employee, Battalion Chief John Ford, who also joined the department in 1968, discussed the transition to Santa Clara County Fire in 1997. Current Fire Captain Bob Hagg listed current fire services and changes in equipment.

On behalf of the City of Los Altos, Mayor pro tem Lou Becker expressed appreciation to both departments for maintaining public safety and service to the community through the 50 years.