The competition sizzled at the second annual Great Chili Cook-Off between the Oceanside and Vista Fire Departments. Aegis Senior Living at Shadowridge in Oceanside hosted the light-hearted afternoon event on Jan. 16.

More than 200 guests submitted ballots.

"Like last year, the Vista Fire Department won by a landslide," said Renato Alesiani, vice president of operations at Aegis Senior Living. Vista firefighters Rich Wilkinson, Abel Santana Miles Sweeney and Chris Bowden agreed their very own Davey Kennedy is one gifted chili chef.

Firefighters give their winnings to a nonprofit organization of their choice. Last year, Alesiani said, $750 was raised, with some of the winnings going to Casa de Amparo, an organization that helps abused children.

Aegis contributed a trophy and $300 to the fire department cooking the best chili.

"Because of the nature of what we do, which is caring for seniors, we rely tremendously on both fire departments to respond to resident needs," said Alesiani, noting that their location draws Vista and Oceanside crews equally. "They work very hard, are incredibly fast and efficient, and always have a positive and cooperative attitude; they genuinely love what they do, and it shows."

Alesiani, acting as emcee, said the fundraiser was a special way to give the everyday heroes a special "Thank you."

As it was a cooking duel between neighboring cities, it was only fitting to have Vista Mayor Morris Vance and Oceanside Mayor Jim Wood cheer on their cities. Also present was Vista Councilman Steve Gronke.

Veena Coble greeted guests at the front door, while Geri Kateley helped distribute tasting bowls and ballots.

Some first-time chili tasters were Reggie and Joel Marcus, Russ and Karen Butcher, and Mike Hayes.

Those who assisted at Aegis for this fundraiser included Michelle Aguirre, Erika Cleveland, Ken Kunze, Armando Osuna, Michele Bessinger, Helene Matsubara, Kathy Way and Mylene Merlo.

Rufus Perry and Don Holcomb, the musicians of 2 Guys Will Move U, entertained guests

Vista's Fire Department is responding faster to emergencies since two new fire stations opened last year, fulfilling a promise to voters who paid for the stations through the city's half-cent sales tax increase, a new city report says.

Fire Chief Gary Fisher said firefighters' response times have dropped by an average of 30 seconds since stations were opened on South Melrose Drive and East Vista Way in April 2009. Although 30 seconds may not seem like much, it can mean life and death in an emergency.

"One of the things we said we needed to do was improve response time, and they (residents) agreed with us," Fisher said. "That's exactly what we've done."

The department's response times have been criticized by some residents in the past, particularly those who live in the Vista Fire Protection District, an unincorporated area north and east of the city limits that is served by the Vista Fire Department.

Fire Protection District President Read Miller said Friday he's cautiously optimistic about the improvements.

"We're pleased with the progress that's being made," he said. "Hopefully, when the entire system is in place, there will be a significant improvement. It's too early to judge the results at this stage."

The Fire Department's Standards of Response Coverage report was presented to the City Council last month. The report examines the amount of time it takes firefighters to field calls, get into their gear and arrive at a scene.

Fisher said average response times in the city have dropped from under 5.5 minutes in 2006 to under 5 minutes in 2009. In the Vista Fire Protection District, the trend has gone from under 6.5 minutes in 2006 to just over 5.5 in 2009.

In addition, in 2007 about 30 percent of the department's responses took longer than 6.5 minutes. In 2009, roughly 10 percent of the department's calls took longer than 6.5 minutes, the report said.

Fisher said the national guideline for response times states that fire crews should arrive at the scene of a fire or medical emergency within 6 minutes.

The fire chief said he expects to see another significant drop in response times when Station No. 1 on North Melrose Drive reopens at the end of April.

Miller, the fire district president, agreed that that station's reopening and the possible relocation of Fire Station No. 3 on Old Taylor Street to a site farther north could help improve district response times.

Fisher acknowledged that lagging response times were a problem in Vista a few years ago.

"We were starting to hear concerns about how long it took us to get to calls," he said. "A lot of our units (would be) already on calls when another call would come in, and that would extend the response."

Vista's Fire Department provides fire and paramedic service to a 36-square mile area, including the 95,000 residents living in the city and 17,000 living in Fire Protection District.

Fisher said that 75 to 80 percent of the calls fielded by Vista firefighters are medical, and 62 percent of all calls come in simultaneously. Opening new stations has helped make sure Fire Department resources and personnel are well distributed, he said.

"The placement of the stations gives us really good redundancy," he said. "If folks are having major medical issues, they have a better chance of recovery. Any fires we get to we're keeping small, so (the) loss is small."

Mayor Morris Vance said during a City Council meeting last month that the city has taken response times very seriously and that the improvements mean the City Council has kept a promise it made to voters in 2006.

"We had to reduce response times because after six or seven minutes, a person's going to be dead if you don't get there," Vance said. "It's something that was really vital for public safety."

Vance spearheaded the campaign to pass Proposition L, the half-cent sales tax increase that Vista voters approved in November 2006 to pay for a laundry list of capital improvements including the two new fire stations, the remodeling of Fire Station No. 1 and the construction of a $55.3 million Civic Center.

"What we promised has taken place," Vance said. "I couldn't be more pleased with the results of Prop. L. The projects were needed within the community. They got built under budget and within schedule."

Other council members agreed the decreased times prove the need for the new stations.

"We are in a better place when it comes to public safety," Councilman Steve Gronke said.

The fire stations were constructed for $12.3 million total, and the renovation of the department's headquarters on North Melrose Drive was approved for $3.7 million.

Contact staff writer Cigi Ross at 760-901-4067.

Three Vista firefighters and a sheriff's detective were recognized Friday as part of American Legion Post 365's annual "Salute to Public Safety."

The Vista post has been holding the award ceremony since 2002 and partnered with the Vista Chamber of Commerce for the first time this year.

"We're here to honor the unsung heroes of our everyday lives," said Chris Yates, one of the event's organizers and a post member. "As veterans we understand and appreciate your honor, courage, commitment and sacrifice."

Honorees were each given the American Legion Medal of Valor, certificates of recognition from U.S. Rep. Darrel Issa, R-Vista, and Assemblyman Martin Garrick, R-Carlsbad, and a proclamation from the City of Vista.

Honorees included:

---- Detective Dave Brannan, of the San Diego County Sheriff's Vista station, who played a key role in the capture of two men charged with the June 2007 armed robbery of Gems and Loans, 925 S. Santa Fe Drive. The suspects pistol-whipped the businesses manager and stole thousands of dollars before fleeing the scene. The case was listed as a "cold case" for two years before Brannan led an investigation that used DNA evidence to find one of the suspects. Brannan's interrogations elicited a full confession and led to the capture and confession of the second suspect.

---- Capt. Samuel Craig of the Vista Fire Department was honored for superior leadership skills as a firefighter and paramedic. Craig leads training efforts for the department and revamped its probationary manual to help new firefighters increase their knowledge and skills.

---- Capt. Rick Delaney, a 24-year veteran of the Vista Fire Department, was honored for his charitable efforts on behalf of the department. Delaney spearheaded fundraising campaigns for several charities including the Muscular Dystrophy Association and Children's Hospital. He also organized local boot drives, pancake breakfasts and golf tournaments to raise money for burn victims, Operation Hope and the Widows and Orphans of Sept. 11.

---- Brendan Hammes was recognized for superior service as a firefighter and paramedic with the Vista Fire Department. In four years, Hammes has participated in dozens of fire, rescue and emergency response calls including the 2007 wildfires.

American Legion Commander Thomas Foynes commended the firefighters and detective for their bravery.

"My danger days were over when I left the Marine Corps," he said. "You (public servants) face danger on a daily basis. We really appreciate that you're keeping our community, our families and our property safe."

VISTA ---- Hundreds of military families around San Diego County are getting a much-needed boost this month in the form of a holiday meal and a shopping spree thanks to Operation Homefront's Adopt-a-Family Program.

But for a couple of lucky families, the experience got an extra special spark on Sunday.

Two members of the United States Navy, both who have served for more than a decade, and their wives and children also got to spend the afternoon with their adopters ---- the staff of the Vista Fire Department's Wildwood Station.

They checked out the station, went shopping for gifts, then headed back for dinner with the firefighters and some of the firefighter's own family members.