Los Banos Fire Station No. 1 has a new captain in the crew for the first time since 2006.</p><p>Eddie Vierra was promoted from engineer to captain in a ceremony, surrounded by his crew and family, Monday morning at the station.</p><p>&#x93;It&#x92;s a childhood dream, to be a firefighter,&#x94; Vierra said. &#x93;Once I got older, being a career fire captain was my goal.&#x94;</p><p>Vierra&#x92;s firefighting career stretches 22 years, half of that time as a volunteer and the rest on the job.</p><p>A 1989 Los Banos High School graduate, Vierra was born and raised in Los Banos. His wife, Sarah, pinned the badge and captain&#x92;s bugels on his shirt and collar Monday. His son, 4-year-old Chance, and parents, Eddie Sr. and Maria, were all in attendance.</p><p>Vierra said he&#x92;s served as an acting captain for a couple of months.</p><p>&#x93;The idea of actually being a permanent captain is kind of a breathtaker,&#x94; Vierra said.</p><p>Fire Chief Chet Guintini said a number of firefighters were up for the position, which made for a difficult decision.</p><p>&#x93;I think it worked out well,&#x94; Guintini said. &#x93;Ed will serve us well and do a good job for us.&#x94;</p><p>Guintini said Vierra fills the open captain position left after Ernie Petrocelli retired last month. </p><p>The station has three captains. Guintini said a firefighter will be promoted to the now open engineer position, and eventually the crew will get a new firefighter. </p><p>Enterprise reporter Thaddeus Miller can be reached at (209) 388-6562 or by email at tmiller@losbanosenterprise.com.