This is the 2024 Stockton Fire Department Year In Review, as prepared and played at the 2025 Local 456 Installation Dinner and Crab Feed. This dedicated in memory of Firefighter Robert "Bobby" Van Ruiten Junior, who recently passed. Our prayers continue to go out to the Van Ruiten Family and all of Bobby's friends. He was an amazing guy, always with a smile on his face, and one hell of a fireman.
The Stockton Fire Department is one of the busiest fire departments (per capita) in the nation. 13 firehouses protect more than 350,000 citizens. The majority of our department is now made up of 'newer' employees (10 years or less), with 'older' employee retirements incurring a changing of the guard. Our commitment remains to excellence in community service, and aggressive interior fire attack. So often in our videos we intentionally keep the firefighters on scene faceless, intending to imply that the department as a whole is proud to protect the City of Stockton. This Year In Review is our opportunity to show the family-based side of the job, and our camaraderie. Our I.A.F.F. Local 456 remains committed to community involvement and providing the best to the city that we can.
We are proud to serve and protect the citizens and City of Stockton, California.