The Torrance Fire Department Community Update and Awards Luncheon, hosted by the Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce, will take place on Wednesday, May 7th, 2025, at the Torrance Memorial Hoffman Health Conference Center. Attendees will hear a department update from Fire Chief David Dumais on key initiatives and public safety priorities and celebrate outstanding individuals and teams who exemplify leadership, service, and commitment to the Torrance community.
Following the update from Chief Dumais, a special awards ceremony will highlight achievements across all levels of the Torrance Fire Department.
Fire Chief’s Award will be presented to members deployed to the Palisades and Eaton Fires as part of Strike Teams E94, E93, B91, E913, and RTF-2. Honorees include Firefighter Tyler Sulka, Firefighter Colin Wrightson, Captain Joshua Such, Firefighter Christopher Ahn, Firefighter Tarek Youssef, Firefighter Vincent Dugard-Lopiccolo, Firefighter Dylan Tait, Engineer Arnold Paner, Firefighter Nathan Norris, Engineer Tyler Cooper, Engineer Richard Ortega, Captain Ryan Mendivil, Chief Kevin Millikan, Chief Alec Miller, Firefighter Tyler Shepard, Firefighter Patrick Phommachanh, Captain Jeremy Bactat, and Captain Dennis Cameron.
Special Recognition Award will be presented to Assistant Chief Duane Sweeton.
Firefighter of the Year Award will be presented to Engineer Tyler Cooper.
Civilian Employee of the Year Award will be presented to Daniel Singleton.
Ambulance Operator of the Year Award will be presented to Ambulance Operator Ryan Saruwatari.
Award of Merit will be presented to the City of Torrance Information Technology Department, led by CIT Director Andrei Yermakov, and to Firefighter Mathew Picazo.
Award of Appreciation will be presented to Ganahl Lumber.
The Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce thanks the sponsors of this event: Presenting Sponsor, Torrance Refinery; Patron Sponsor, Roadium Open Air Market; Distinguished Sponsors, California Water Service and Rose Equities; and Supporting Sponsors, El Camino College, Ganahl Lumber, Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Center, and Southern California Edison.
The Community Update and Awards Luncheon is an opportunity for Chamber members, business leaders, and the community to recognize the outstanding achievements of the Torrance Fire Department and to hear firsthand about the department’s continued efforts to protect and serve the community.
To register for the luncheon, please visit https://www.torrancechamber.com/event/tfd2025/.
