Community Hero Spotlight: LPFD's 2025 Firefighter Of The Year

LIVERMORE, CA — “Our success is not as much about us, but the collective effort of those we choose to surround ourselves with,” said Captain Jared Jamison, the leader of the Livermore-Pleasanton Fire Department’s Truck Company 6 in Livermore. In May, Jamison was named LPFD’s 2025 Firefighter of the Year, honoring his 19 years of service and efforts to help firefighters suffering from cancer.

Jamison told Patch that while he was humbled and grateful for the recognition, that’s not why he does the work. “We do it because we love our jobs and we are committed to our community,” he said, noting that the major highlights of his career are seeing his fellow firefighters keep their community safe.

“Highlights of my career have more to do with the success of the members of Firehouse 6 located on East Avenue than they do me personally. This is because of the support we provide one another, and the strong work ethic we embody and attract,” he said. “We have had multiple members promoted to battalion chief, captain, and engineer along with many prior year service award recognitions. This along with the high level of service we provide our community are what I am most proud of.”

Jamison was born in Southern California, but moved to Livermore when he was a kid. He attended Rancho Las Positas Elementary School, Junction Middle School, Granada High School, and Las Positas College. From a young age, he was fascinated with watching fire trucks, and started as a volunteer firefighter before completing his training. He was hired at the Elko Fire Department in Elko, Nevada before he began serving his hometown fire department in 2008. He was promoted to LPFD captain in 2018, and has led numerous fire academies.

In his more than two decades of firefighting, Jamison says that the fundamentals have remained the same, but scientific research has given firefighters new data on which tactics are most successful for stopping fires and rescuing occupants. He also noted that alternative fuels have presented a challenge to the fire service, since battery energy storage systems, electric vehicle fires, lithium-ion mobility devices, and compressed natural gas vehicles are all newer technologies that can result in fires.

In 2009, Jamison was diagnosed with testicular cancer. After treatment, the cancer recurred, requiring lung surgery and many rounds of chemotherapy.

“These were some of the darkest and most challenging days, and I credit my family for the tremendous support through these challenging moments,” he said. “The LPFD along with Livermore-Pleasanton Firefighters IAFF Local 1974 was steadfast and unwavering.”

After successful treatment, Jamison began volunteering for the Firefighter Cancer Support Network, helping to counsel firefighters with cancer diagnoses and spread awareness of cancer risk. A study from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health found that due to factors like carcinogenic chemicals, asbestos, and diesel exhaust, firefighters face a 9% higher overall cancer risk than the general public, and 14% higher rate of cancer-related mortality.

“As I experienced, these are some of the most difficult experiences and it is helpful to speak with another firefighter that has been there and realized a positive outcome,” he said.