By Dan Judge 
Vallejo Times Herald (California)
Copyright 2007 The Times-Herald
All Rights Reserved  

AMERICAN CANYON, Calif. — Assistant Fire Chief Glen Weeks officially took over the reins of the American Canyon Fire Protection District on Thursday.

Weeks, 44, was sworn in as the new fire chief during a special ceremony at the City Council's regular meeting, replacing longtime chief Keith Caldwell.

"I'm very excited and looking forward to the opportunity," Weeks said. "I'm looking forward to continuing with the district and doing it in this new capacity."

Weeks said his first goal is to create a comprehensive plan that will guide the fire district for the next three to five years. A major focus will be addressing staffing levels and increasing paramedic services.

He also will complete the fire district's move into American Canyon's new Public Safety Building, which will also house the city's police department.

"We want to continue to provide the highest level of service we can," Weeks said. "As the community grows, we want to grow with it."

Weeks was hired as American Canyon's assistant fire chief in 2005.

The Napa resident started his career as a firefighter in the Air Force and went on to become a firefighter/paramedic with the Petaluma Fire Department.

He was a fire engineer and captain in Union City before take the American Canyon job.

As fire chief, Weeks will be in charge of 15 full-time firefighters, 20 reservists and an administrative assistant. He also is seeking a new assistant fire chief to take over his old position.

"I think Chief Weeks brings a lot to the position," American Canyon Mayor Leon Garcia said. "He is very much focusing on what the future needs of the city are."

Although Weeks has officially taken over, retired chief Caldwell will fill in for him until he returns from vacation next week.

Caldwell, who has announced he will run for Napa County supervisor in the next election, also will be completing some special projects for the city, including a disaster preparedness plan and setting up an emergency operation center at the Public Safety Building.