lauren thoms reports. >> i heard 56 come on the radio and we got to a point we did not know if it was going to happen when we heard it on the radio it became real. >> reporter: he was just a rookie when the seeds were planted to add another fire company in fremont. as he worked his way up the ranks and up ladders he says he was relentless in his calls for extra resources. >> you know when you worked in the city almost 20 years and there is an addition of a new piece of equipment that you know will be beneficial to the community but also your members are out there doing the job it is, it is monumental. it is, it is more weapon for us t. is more tools in the tool box. >> reporter: the need was clear back in 2004. just three fire stations handled half of fremont's emergencies. since then, the city has seen a 13% population bump, according to census data. one of the highest in the bay area. >> all's we can do is just ask. ask for resources, ask for equipment, even with as much as you try to prepare for it you still need the apparatus and the members to do the job that you were sworn to do