After months of searching Turlock has found a new chief to take the helm of the Turlock Fire Department.

Robert A. “Bob” Talloni was hired by the city as the 11th fire chief to serve in the department’s 107-year history.

Not only will Talloni be new to Turlock, he’ll be new to the West Coast, as the entirety of his 33 years of fire service has been on the East Coast.

His career began in 1982 with the City of Norwalk in Connecticut, where he rose to the rank of Deputy Fire Chief. In 2010 he became the Fire Chief for the City of Harrisburg in Pennsylvania. In 2013, he accepted an instructor’s position at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland, where he provided instruction and training for leaders in fire service from across the country.

“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,” said Turlock City Manager Roy Wasden. “In addition to being a great leader for the Fire Department, he will be a great addition to the City’s Executive Team.”

Talloni earned a Bachelor of Science degree at the University of New Haven, in 1988 and a Master of Public Administration from the University of New Haven in 2013. 

The City of Turlock began the search for a new Fire Chief during the summer when former Chief Tim Lohman announced he would be retiring in August. The initial search turned up approximately 20 candidates, which was eventually narrowed down to four individuals who were invited for interviews with the City Council. Wasden said he made the recommendation to hire Talloni and the official selection will be voted on by the City Council at a future meeting.

“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. “As an amateur boxer, Chief Talloni possesses the determination to lead our talented group of firefighters in a positive direction. I welcome Chief Talloni and his wife Karen to Turlock and I know they will be a great addition to our great community.”

The community is invited to meet the new chief at 4 p.m. today at the Community Training Room of the Turlock Public Safety Facility, at 244 N. Broadway.