The City of Bastrop is proud to announce that Andres Rosales has been promoted and named Fire Chief of the Bastrop Fire Department, effective immediately, by Public Safety Director James Altgelt. Rosales was selected to serve as the Interim Fire Chief in September of 2018. Prior to this appointment Rosales served as the Director of Information Technology for the City of Bastrop. He also voluntarily served as the Assistant Fire Chief for Bastrop County Emergency Services District (ESD) #2. Chief Rosales has also been a reserve officer for the Bastrop Police Department. “It is my honor and pleasure to announce the promotion of Andres Rosales to the position of Fire Chief,” said Altgelt. Since September, Rosales has proudly staffed all of the department’s paid positions and successfully completed the Texas Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP) Fire Instructor One Course, TCFP Fire Officer One, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) All-Hazards Operations Section Chief Course, the FEMA All-Hazards Planning Section Chief Course, and the FEMA All-Hazards Safety Officer Course. “After thoughtful deliberation, I believe that I have the best available candidate in-house without having to do a formal search process. My decision is in spirit with the City’s policy to provide promotional opportunities whenever possible and practical,” said Altgelt. Rosales has a true servant’s heart and has extensive experience in the fire, public safety and emergency management fields. He has worked with the Wolfforth Fire & EMS Department, Bastrop Police Department, and the Bastrop Fire Department. During his time with the City of Bastrop Police and Fire Departments he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant and awarded the Firefighter of the Year in 2014. In 2016, Rosales began serving as the Assistant Chief for ESD #2. “Exceptional customer service, dedication to the profession, training, preparedness, leadership, cooperation, and hard work are the principles that I hope I can continue to instill in the department in my new role going forward,” said Rosales. “I am humbled and honored by this promotion. I have dreamed of being a Fire Chief since I was a little boy.” Rosales’ Information Technology background and close working relationship with other agencies like ESD #2 provide him a unique perspective to serve the city, its customers, volunteers, families, and employees of the Bastrop Fire Department. In closing, Public Safety Director James Altgelt stated “I have complete confidence in Andres and his abilities to lead our Fire Department. He has earned the respect of the men and women of the Fire Department, the City of Bastrop team, the community, his peers, and myself. His dedication to his profession, his community, and his team is inspiring. He has made everyone in his department (paid staff and volunteer staff) feel valued and the entire department has been re-energized. Please join me in congratulating him on this well-earned and deserved promotion!”
(Photo courtesy of City of Bastrop)
