News

One Visalia Fire Fighter has answered the call for promotion.

Chief Tom Van Grouw has been named Deputy Chief of the Visalia Fire Department, a team he has been a member of since 2006.

Since joining Visalia Fire, Van Grouw has advanced through the ranks from firefighter to captain, shift battalion chief, and administrative battalion chief. He also served as a paid-call firefighter with the Tulare County Fire Department from 2003 to 2009.

Van Grouw holds a bachelor’s degree in business management from CalPoly, San Luis Obispo, and an associate’s degree in Fire Science from the College of the Sequoias.

As the first Deputy Chief, Van Grouw will oversee the Operations Division and other vital administrative duties.

The Visalia Fire Department notes, "His unwavering commitment to our community and the Visalia Fire Department has prepared him to step into this important leadership role."