Recent Events

Firefighter of the Year

YEAR: 2023 

Division Chief/Fire Marshal - Christopher Knapp 

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 Honoring our Firefighter of the Year!  

Division Chief/Fire Marshal Knapp is a graduate of the MPC Fire Academy Class 2006-2 and was recognized as the "Most Dedicated" by his peers. He came to the SFD in June of 2008 after spending time as a seasonal firefighter with CalFire at the Bear Valley Helitack base.

At SFD, he has built a substantial tenure as a key member of the hazmat team, serving as the lead instructor for forcible entry and ventilation. Additionally, he has held the role of SFD fire academy coordinator twice and is a state-certified fire instructor.

He maintains active involvement in the Training Work Group, Operations Work Group, and the work group dedicated to establishing the new SFD training facility. Throughout previous and recent administrative duties, he meticulously refined department-wide task books and spearheaded the development of the SFD Command Doctrine, playing a pivotal role in guiding all department members through this significant cultural evolution. 

We are honored to recognize your accomplishments, Chris Knapp. Well-deserved and wishing you continued success in your remarkable career!

#FireFighterOfTheYear #CommunityHero #SalinasFirefighters #Firefighters #JoinSFD #FireCareers


YEAR: 2022 

Fire Captain/Paramedic Steven Criste

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The Firefighter of the Year award is given to someone who consistently goes above and beyond, exemplifies a strong work ethic, and inspires other firefighters. Collectively, Fire Captain/Paramedic Steven Criste, was voted and honored by his peers.

Captain Criste was hired in October 2011 and brought with him years of experience working as a firefighter and paramedic. He was promoted to the rank of fire captain in January 2018.

Currently, he serves as a program leader for several initiatives within our organization, including CISM peer support, tactical paramedic, EMS platoon training coordinator, and more! He is also deployable at the state level through Cal OES as a strike team leader, safety officer, and fire line medic.

In addition to all of this, Captain Criste continues to ride as captain and lead paramedic on our busiest engine company, Engine One, which serves the communities of South Salinas. He is a great role model for our members, both new and seasoned.

Please join the Salinas Fire Department in congratulating Captain Criste! Thank you for all your dedication and hard work! We are proud of you! #salinasfirefighters #salinasfiredepartment


Year: 2021 

Fire Captain/Paramedic Jesus Ramirez-Regalado 

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Firefighter Ramirez grew up on the East Side in Salinas and graduated from Alisal High School in 2007. He proudly served in the Marine Corps as a Mortarman and worked up the ranks to become a Mortar Leader. He was honorably discharged as a Sergeant upon completion of his contract.

Upon his return to Salinas Firefighter Ramirez explored the prospect of joining the fire service. He was selected and hired by his hometown fire department, Salinas Fire Department in October of 2014. In seven short years Firefighter Ramirez has become a Paramedic through the AFG Grant program, HazMat Specialist and is a member of the HazMat Team, is the Team Leader in our Honor Guard, took the lead for our Hose Cadre and teaches many subjects in our recruit firefighter academies. He has recently become involved in the leadership of L1270 and works hard to maintain a good working relationship with L1270 members as well as our management staff.

Firefighter Ramirez is a humble individual and works hard to make Salinas Fire Department a better place for our members and future members while providing the highest standard of service to our community.

Firefighter Ramirez has a can do will do attitude and inspires others to do the same. He has a passion for the city he works and lives in. He is a proud representative of our city and department.

Please join us in congratulating Firefighter Ramirez on being named Salinas Fire Department Firefighter of the Year. His name will be forwarded to the Monterey County Fire Chief’s association for consideration on being named Monterey County Firefighter of the Year. Congratulations, well deserved!


YEAR: 2020

Fire Engineer Shannon Bryant

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Congratulations to Fire Engineer Shannon Bryant for being selected as our 2020 Firefighter of the Year!

Engineer Bryant has been with the SFD for 18 years where his every day willingness to step up and fix what needs to be fixed regardless of what time of day it is, is always appreciated. Engineer Bryant does his job and more with a positive attitude day in and day out.

Outside of work, Engineer Bryant constantly seeks opportunity to help those in need- he has built homes in Mississippi and Fort Luis in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, rebuilt a home for a San Diego Fire Captain after it was lost in the Witch Creek Fire, and built school furniture for an orphanage after the devastating 7.0 earthquake in Haiti.

His skills, talents and community dedication is nothing short of outstanding. Aside from being our 2020 Firefighter of the Year, he also received Monterey County Firefighter of the Year! We are so proud to have him in our organization. He consistently brings positive energy and a helping hand. Thank you Shannon for all of your hard work! Congratulations! 

Noteworthy Milestones

At the Salinas Fire Department we take immense pride in our commitment to the growth and success of our firefighters. We believe that investing in the professional development and well-being of our firefighting team is not just a responsibility but a cornerstone of our organizational philosophy. Our dedication to their growth goes beyond the call of duty, and we are resolute in recognizing and celebrating their achievements, both professional and personal.

As a testament to our unwavering support, we place a strong emphasis on acknowledging promotions and individual accomplishments within our firefighting community. Whether it's a well-deserved promotion, a commendable act of bravery, or a personal milestone, we believe that every success story contributes to the collective strength of our firefighting family! 

Explore the noteworthy recent promotions and milestones achieved within our esteemed firefighting department outlined below! 


YEAR: 2024 

January 8th - Fire Captain Knapp promoted to Division Chief/Fire Marshal 

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YEAR: 2023 

December 21st - Firefighter Nathan Mitchell pinned as an Engineer

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December 18th - Engineer Shannon Bryant retires after 20 years of service

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December 11th - Firefighter Frank Smythe promoted to the ran of Fire Engineer

photo coming soon...

November 27th- Promotion of Engineer/Paramedic Sean Valenzuela to the rank of Fire Captain/Paramedic

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November 27th - Firefighter Tim Makanani promoted to the rank of Fire Engineer/Paramedic

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November 16th - Fire Captain Shane Vanderveen celebrates his promotion to the rank of EMS Division Chief 

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August 7th - Congratulating Engineer Hector Guerrero on his promotion to the rank of Fire Captain

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August 27th - Firefighter/Paramedic Ryan Macoubrie promoted to the rank of Fire Engineer 

Photo coming soon...


YEAR: 2022

December 12th - Firefighter David Hernandez is promoted to the rank of Fire Engineer 

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August 8th - SFD celebrates Engineer Jesus Ramirez-Regalado being promoted to the rank of Fire Captain

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August 8th - Engineer Robert Lynch is promoted to the rank of Fire Captain 

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July 25th - Captain Alejandro Limon is promoted to the rank of Battalion Chief, in charge of Training

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June 27th - Acting Deputy Chief Matt Evarts promotes to the permanent position of Deputy Fire Chief