Category: Board & Staff

Hometown: Danville, CA

Why FFAid: For me, it’s about helping others.

A person who inspires you the most: My sister Courtney, she has inspired me since childhood. Overcoming obstacles and not using excuses to hold her back. She sets a goal and executes it.

How do you give back: I volunteer my time at the San Diego 9/11 Stair Climb event. and others. I built and created the #SDFD Mustache Bash event, and 100% of the funds raised support the CAPP program. I also am involved in the SDFD Cadet Program. I am helping to mentor our youth to obtain their dreams of becoming a firefighter.

Tell us something about yourself: I love my fiancé Chelsea and our dog, Kirby. Our main passion is to travel and see the world!

Hometown: San Diego, CA

Why FFAid: The San Diego Fireman’s Relief Association was founded on the principles of helping out our firefighters and their families in their time of need. I can’t think of a better mission to be a part of then wanting to help out our fire family when they need it most. I have always felt that it was an honor and privilege to be a part of the fire service. Now, as a board member for the SDFRA, I have the opportunity to make a positive impact within our community.

A person who inspires you the most: My grandmother, Nettie Williams, inspired me as I was growing up. She was hardworking, educated, and an enthusiastic person. She became a teacher to lead and inspire those around her. She taught our family that hard work and dedication will get us to reach our goals.

How do you give back: I have always thought that it’s important to give back to our fire community. Since joining the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department in 2001, I ran the San Diego Fire Cadet program, I am a current board member with the San Diego Firehouse Museum, and have been involved in various fire service projects throughout my career. 

Tell us something about yourself: Our family loves to go camping. Over the past few years we have camped at Yosemite, Sequoias, Joshua Tree, and Silver Strand State Beach. Our future family camping goals are to go to Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon, and the Grand Teton National Parks. It’s a great way for our family to go on adventures and enjoy the great outdoors.

Hometown: Santa Clarita, CA

Why FFAid: I was hurt on the job in 2015. I was hospitalized and spent several days in the hospital. The Relief Association rallied behind me and my family. They picked up my family from the airport and then put them up in a hotel. I’m not sure if that seems like a big thing or not, but it was huge for me and my family. I will forever be grateful.

A person who inspires you the most:

Both of my folks are my inspiration. Even though they are both retired, they still work tirelessly to give back to their community.

How do you give back: I am always trying to give back to my department. I have helped by being a Peer Supporter for other members who are in a time of need. It was been a rewarding experience.

Tell us something about yourself: I love to travel and teach. If I’m not working or traveling, I can be found teaching. To master a subject, the best way is to learn it, do it and then teach it to someone else. I love sharing knowledge with others.

Hometown: San Diego, CA

Why FFAid: The Relief Association helps in so many ways already, but what drew me to it was the endless possibilities to provide aid to our fire department brothers and sisters. The Relief staff is motivated and selfless and is an overall great organization I’m so proud and humbled to be a part of.

A person who inspires you the most: My wife Lisa. She inspires me with her work ethic as a second-grade teacher, but even more so by the way she is so kind and caring to everyone she interacts with.

How do you give back: I currently give back to the SDFD Cadet Program as a battalion advisor. I’ve worked with the Relief Association for the past few years at the 9/11 Stair Climb. I’m excited to be a part of future events and volunteer opportunities.

Tell us something about yourself: I enjoy surfing, boxing, welding, and doing projects around the house.

Hometown: Fairfax, VA

Why FFAid: After having to reach out to this organization for help during my time of need, I saw the quality of board members and their deep desire to help any member of our fire family. I knew then if given the chance I wanted to be a part of an organization like that.

A person who inspires you the most: My father. A man who grew up during very hard times in his grandmother’s boarding house. He became a successful self-made man through hard work. Throughout his life, he was always guided by his principles and his moral compass. His whole life he was very excepting of others’ beliefs and backgrounds, this was in a time and place that many were not. He always placed family and friends first. He continues to be an example for me and my children to live up to.

How do you give back: I mentor firefighters with cancer through the Firefighter cancer support network.

Tell us something about yourself: I love surfing as often as I can. I love an afternoon espresso and checking out different craft breweries here in San Diego.

Hometown: Pasadena, CA

Why FFAid: One of the best things about the fire service is the brotherhood/sisterhood. In the morning, we leave our families at home to be with our families at work. It’s something that is very unique to the fire service. Being able to lend a helping hand to our fellow brothers and sisters in their time of need continues those family traditions and allows us to give back to those who came before us.

A person who inspires you the most: My mother. Growing up, she sacrificed so much for us and showed me what it really means to take care of those you love.

How do you give back: I’m a Battalion Advisor for the SDFD Cadet Program and an instructor at the San Pasqual Reservation Fire Academy. As a previous cadet, I am certain I wouldn’t be where I am today if it weren’t for the Cadet Program. While I was trying to get hired, I had instructors/mentors that selflessly guided me in the right direction. I try to follow in their footsteps and give back to others what they gave me.

Tell us something about yourself: I love to travel and experience different cultures. I’m just trying to add more stamps to my passport!

Hometown: Upland CA

Why FFAid: I  have been a member of SDFRA for the past 22 years and have watched the organization transform and grow from a “back seat” perspective.  During most of these years, I had never found the need to reach out for assistance or utilize the benefits that the SDFRA has had to offer; that was until my family went through a crisis of our own when my wife was diagnosed with breast cancer.  Now successfully across the other side of the bridge with cancer, it is time to give back and show my appreciation to the SDFRA with more than just words.

A person who inspires you the most: My young boys (4 & 7) inspire me the most because of the way they view life.  Their natural curiosity, optimism, unbiased views and the simple joy they find in the most ordinary things are a continuous reminder to me of how awesome life is and how fortunate we are.  They have taught me that no matter how difficult life may seem or when the stress of everyday life adds up, it will always be better tomorrow (or after a good nap).

How do you give back:

By saying “yes.”  Opportunities come along in all of our lives, some exciting, some scary, some out of our comfort zone.  However, by simply saying yes, I’ve have been lead down roads I had not anticipated for myself and have been provided opportunities to give back in ways never before imagined.

Tell us something about yourself: I’m a daydreamer.  When it looks like I’m in deep thought there is a good chance I’m thinking of some wild idea or planning my dream house on a remote island in the pacific and not solving the world’s problems.

Hometown: Born and raised in San Diego, CA

Why FFAid: I love to help people when they are in a time of need. What better way to help our fire family and their families during their time of need.

A person who inspires you the most: My 102-year-old grandma who lives in Escondido. She has always had the best outlook on life. She says, “you can’t always control what happens to you, but you can control the way you respond to it.  It’s about your attitude and sometimes things are just an ‘oh-weller’.”

How do you give back: I would love to have more time to formally volunteer, but as of now I just try to bring a positive vibe, a bright smile, and an open ear to anyone who wants it.

Tell us something about yourself: I have been married to Micah for nine years and we have a seven-year-old son named Evan. I love to be outside, travel, and enjoy time with friends and family.

Hometown: San Diego, CA

Why FFAid: Because it’s unlike any other Fire Department group. The goal is to help in times of need and not worry about political issues. We look out for our brothers and sisters who sometimes just need a helping hand.

A person who inspires you the most:

My grandfather, he always has a heart for helping others and sticking up for what is right. He loves my grandmother, our family, and his friends with all his heart.

How do you give back: I volunteer with the San Diego Fire Cadet program as an advisor. I help show high school kids what the job of Firefighting is all about. They participate in ride alongs, drills, and a weeklong academy during the summer. 

Tell us something about yourself: I’m just getting into woodworking, I really enjoy the challenge of it, and have made a few of the furniture pieces in my house, just don’t look at them too closely.