Fire Chief Troy Hughes at Anderson Overlook recently is retiring Friday and the Community is invited to an event honoring the Chief, noon-2 p.m. Friday at Fuller Lodge. Drone photo/Nate Limback/ladailypost.com

By CAROL A. CLARK
Los Alamos Daily Post
caclark@ladailypost.com

Los Alamos Fire Chief Troy Hughes has served the community since 2011 and is set to retire the end of April. Under his leadership, LAFD joined the ranks of the top 1 percent of fire departments in the nation in 2021 to attain a Public Protection Classification (PPC) Insurance Service Office (ISO) rating of 1. The prestigious Class 1 rating represents an “exemplary fire suppression program” and LAFD is the only fire department to hold that top rating that protects a Department of Energy facility.

“We’re excited to have Troy join our team,” City Manager Paul Briseno said in a news release. “His nationally recognized fire service experience, extensive training background, educational achievements, and leadership skills make him an outstanding fit as our next fire chief. Many of our volunteer firefighters participated in the interview process, and Troy was also their choice to guide the department forward.”

At LAFD, Chief Hughes oversees an ISO 1 Internationally Accredited Fire Department that consists of 176 employees who serve Los Alamos County and Los Alamos National Laboratory through a cooperative agreement with DOE/NNSA.

Chief Hughes holds a variety of educational degrees including a bachelor of arts in public administration from Doane University, master of arts in management from Doane University, and master of arts in security studies from the Center for Homeland Security and Defense at the Naval Postgraduate School. He also completed the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer Program and is one of less than 1,000 fire service professionals in the United States that holds a Chief Fire Officer designation from the Commission on Professional Credentialing. He also completed the Senior Executives in State and Local Government Program at the Harvard Kennedy School.

Greatest memories

In speaking of his tenure in Los Alamos, Chief Hughes described two of his greatest memories.

“Two things stand out. The first is the working relationship with the firefighters union. When I became the chief in 2011, the collective bargaining agreement had been expired for more than 2 years and no progress was being made on finishing negotiations,” Chief Hughes said. “We implemented a new method of collective bargaining called interest based bargaining and soon finished the agreement. Quarterly labor/management meetings were required in the old collective bargaining agreement, but had not taken place for about three years. We began monthly meetings right away in 2011 and have continued them since.  Throughout my time as the fire chief we have worked closely with our labor leadership to constantly improve our delivery of emergency services to Los Alamos County and LANL.”

“The second big thing has been our movement to improve our wildland fire response and preparation.  Coming from the outside, Los Alamos history with wildfire was a clear indication that investing in wildland fire response and preparation was a top priority,” he said. “Chief Kelly Sterna, who was a captain when I started, was constantly selling me the merits of being better prepared for wildfire. I listened and he worked hard to make those improvements happen. We replaced the entire existing wildland fire apparatus fleet and added a few more units to support our response. We significantly updated and upgraded our wildfire training and qualifications. We entered into the Regional Mobilization Plan for New Mexico and began deployment of our LAFD wildland fire apparatus and responders to fires all across the United States. We also authored a new Community Wildfire Protection Plan and have done a few mitigation projects listed within the plan.”

“One special highlight related to this wildland fire effort was during the Cerro Pelado Fire. The first night of the fire two LAFD engines were traveling to assist Sandoval County Fire. While in route they spotted a fire that had just started on the Caldera (a spot from the Cerro Pelado Fire),” he said. “They stopped both engines and scrambled up some really steep and rough terrain to extinguish the fire before it spread further. Had they not spotted this small fire with the high winds that evening, this fire would have increased in size and spread across the Valles Caldera significantly increasing the difficulty of the firefight.”

Message To Community

On the eve of his retirement, Chief Hughes shares his final message to the citizens of Los Alamos.

“Thank you for supporting LAFD throughout my nearly 14 year career as Fire Chief. The wildfire threat has increased over time and it will take all of us to make Los Alamos a safer community by reducing the risk of wildfire,” he said. “No matter how well trained and equipped LAFD is to respond to a wildfire, the work each property owner does to be wildfire ready far outweighs anything we can do as a fire department. There is upcoming consideration of a new wildland urban interface code that if implemented will make Los Alamos safer and much better prepared to face wildfire threats. Please embrace this effort to get Los Alamos wildfire ready.”

The decision to retire is bittersweet for Chief Hughes and his wife Jodi Hughes who teaches at Pinon Elementary School. Chief Hughes will certainly miss LAFD, saying “The members of LAFD are very professional in all they do to care for the citizens of Los Alamos County. They are well trained, well equipped, and fully dedicated to delivering world-class emergency response services.”

Los Alamos County officials are inviting the public to a Community Appreciation event honoring Chief Hughes, noon to 2 p.m. Friday, April 25 at Fuller Lodge, which is his final day with LAFD.

Family members, officials and colleagues share their sentiments:

Wife Jodi Hughes: “I’ve always admired Troy’s drive and unwavering commitment. Early in our relationship, we had a conversation about continuing his education. It was important to him, but he was already working at the fire department and another job, in addition to being a dad to two great kids. It was hard to imagine adding more to his plate, but we agreed that the perfect time to begin taking classes might never come. The next day, he signed up for five college classes. I was thinking maybe one might be a good place to start! But that isn’t who he is. When he commits to something, he is all in. Giving less than 200% is never an option! That epitomizes his career and who he is as a person. He has always been all in for his family, both at home and at the fire department, for his friends, and his community. No matter what his well earned next chapter brings, I know two things: Troy will always treasure his time in Los Alamos and the relationships he built, and life with him will never be boring, even in retirement!”

Son Mike Hughes: “My dad epitomizes hard work and dedication, and I couldn’t be prouder of his accomplishments. I have vivid memories of countless late nights and evenings when he was attending college courses to further his career. Despite working two jobs and providing for our family, he never wavered in his commitment. I am thankful that he has taken care of his health and is now looking forward to spending quality time with his grandchildren and fully embracing his well-deserved retirement.”

Daughter Kaylea Young: “There are people in leadership positions and there are leaders. My father did a ride-along with me when I was a new police officer. Even though I was the one in full police uniform behind the wheel of a squad, every encounter we had with the public, people looked to him as the person of authority! Civilian clothing and the lack of a badge did nothing to conceal his natural ability to take charge and get things done. Many speak of earning things in life or deserving one thing or another. Not my dad. If you know my dad, you know motivation isn’t his thing either. What I’ve learned from this is motivation is fleeting while discipline is not. It’s not motivation that gets you through 40 years of service as a firefighter, it’s the discipline to stick it out and do the best you can. If you’ve ever had the fortune of being on a hike or bike ride with my dad you can see these traits manifest when he’s eons ahead of everyone else! He was born to lead, to be the first to face danger, and always eager to show the way. I couldn’t be more proud of my dad and his successes through his career and although I know he’ll never slow down, he is deserving of a well earned and restful retirement.”

U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich: “Congratulations to Fire Chief Troy Hughes on his upcoming retirement after 13 years of helping to protect the Los Alamos community. I thank Chief Hughes for his public service and wish him the best in this well-deserved next chapter.”

U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján: “Congratulations to Los Alamos Fire Chief Troy Hughes on his retirement after 13 years of leading LAFD. I’m grateful for his dedication, leadership, and commitment to keeping the Los Alamos community safe. I wish him and his family all the best as they begin this exciting new chapter.”

State Sen. Leo Jaramillo: “Congratulations on your retirement Chief! Thank you for your years of service and bravery, and may your retirement be filled with joy and new experiences!”

State Rep. Christine Chandler: “Thank you for your years of service to LAFD and our community Chief Hughes and best wishes for you and your family in your retirement.”

New Mexico State Fire Marshal Randy Varela: “Chief Hughes has been very supportive of the Metro Chiefs (New Mexico Fire Chiefs Association) and the State Fire Marshal’s Office. His retirement is going to be a big loss to Los Alamos and to the State.”

LANL Emergency Management Division Leader Jeff Dare: “It has been an honor to work with Chief Hughes over the last 14 years. He has been a very active member of the community and implemented improvements during his tenure that have enabled the Los Alamos Fire Department to provide excellent response services to both the community and the Laboratory. I especially appreciate the collaboration he demonstrated during the response to the Cerro Pelado Fire to ensure Los Alamos County and the Lab were responding and communicating in a coordinated manner. I’d like to thank Chief Hughes for his personal commitment to the safety of the entire community and wish him and Jodi the best as they start their next chapter.”

Los Alamos County Council Chair Theresa Cull: “I have had the pleasure of interacting with Fire Chief Troy Hughes during my time on the Los Alamos County Council. I will be sorry to see him leave, but I wish him the best in his well-deserved retirement.”

County Manager Anne Laurent: “Chief Hughes has been a pillar of our community for our Fire Department and his retirement is well deserved. He has led us through the Cerro Pelado Fire, collective bargaining negotiations with the Fire Union, numerous fire truck replacements and the site location and design for the new Fire Station 4. He has been a dedicated community member and White Rock resident for more than 13 years. His participation with community organizations and events has made us better as a community. Thank you to Chief Hughes for his service and congratulations! I wish him and Jodi all the best in their new chapter.”

LAFD Deputy Chief Wendy Servey: “I appreciate the leadership provided by Chief Hughes over the course of his Los Alamos career and wish him the best in his next chapter.”

LAPD Chief Dino Sgambellone: “Troy has done so much for the community and I’m happy for him and his wife Jodi. Los Alamos is losing an exceptional and conscientious Fire Chief in Troy and the schools are losing an excellent teacher in Jodi. They have both been very kind and generous and I wish them continued success in their next chapter.”

LAPS Superintendent Jennifer Guy: “Congratulations to Chief Hughes on his retirement. Chief Hughes has always been a strong advocate and supporter of our schools. He provided great leadership and advice on school safety and programs. He will be missed by the school district and community. I wish his family the best!”

UNM-LA Chancellor Mike Holtzclaw: “Thank you Chief Hughes for all you have done for Los Alamos! Best wishes in retirement.”

Former LANL Physical Security Division Leader Mike Wismer: “I congratulate my good friend and colleague Chief Troy Hughes on his retirement from LAFD. In my professional dealings with Troy as LANL Security Division Leader and as a County Councilor, I watched Troy evolve LAFD into a world class organization earning a seldom awarded international accreditation while overseeing a department responsible for a very complex mission set. As a friend, Troy has always been there to give you the shirt off his back if needed. To Troy and Jodi I say that cycling adventures await so, let’s ride!”

Former LAPD Chief Wayne Torpy: “During my tenure as police chief in Los Alamos County, I had the privilege of serving with three different fire chiefs. Chief Douglas MacDonald, Chief Doug Tucker and finally Chief Troy Hughes. I was intimately involved in the selection of Chief Hughes as the new fire chief for Los Alamos County. It was a high bar to achieve, to be selected to replace his two predecessors. From the minute I met Chief Hughes, I knew he was the person to lead LAFD forward for many years to come. His concern for his firefighters, his civilian employees and the safety of the community were obvious attributes needed to lead LAFD forward. I wish Troy the best in his retirement and any future endeavors that he should undertake.”

Former LAFD Deputy Chief Justin Grider: “What can I say about Troy. He promoted me, coached me, mentored me, friended me and retired me five years later. He has always been quick to laugh, first to support and is a huge proponent of the fire service. Invested in multiple areas of the community, Troy gave tirelessly to Los Alamos. He did great things with wonderful and amazing people pushing his vision forward. Los Alamos, once again, will be searching for another great Fire Chief. Congratulations Troy!”