About

As a first-generation San Franciscan from Latino immigrant parents, I was interested in community service at an early age. Growing up, I aspired to be a police officer due to the popular 1970s TV series The Streets of San Francisco. In the fifth grade, my good friend Tim O. and I made a Streets of San Francisco episode with an 8mm Howard and Bell movie camera. I forgot which one of us played the detectives in the show, Karl Malden, or Michael Douglas. I eventually put my dream on pause and decided to pursue a family business in jewelry making which was in the family for a few generations. In 1988 I took the San Francisco Fire Department entrance exam to be a firefighter and live out my dream of helping my community. It took a few years, and I entered the SFFD in 1991.

In 1997, Heather started her career in the San Francisco Fire Department as a firefighter. In 2002, she cross-trained to be an H3 Firefighter/Paramedic. Heather was promoted to Lieutenant in 2009 and is currently the Captain of Engine 7.

Heather has proudly served 24 years on the board of the United Fire Service Women, an employee affinity group committed to direct involvement in health, recruitment, promotion, and education of women in the San Francisco Fire Department. In 2012, Heather and her colleagues were facing staggering cancer rates locally and nationally. Her interest in health and wellness, coupled with grave concern regarding the high breast cancer rates among her colleagues, became a catalyst for Heather to develop best practice training on how to reduce toxic chemical exposures on the job, thus educating her peers about the occupational exposures they face as firefighters. Along with scientific researchers, colleagues, and community advocates, Heather was part of a team to study the effects of toxic chemical exposures on women firefighters in SF, titled “The Women Firefighter Biomonitoring Collaborative Study”.

Andrew Yee joined the San Francisco Fire Department in 2012 and is currently a member of Rescue Squad 2. While attending a career day presentation at Sacred Heart Cathedral High School, he was inspired to become a firefighter after listening to stories of incredible heroism from San Francisco firefighters. Their unique sense of pride working and protecting the city where many of them grew up resonated with Andrew. From that day forward, he was determined to join the SFFD.

Joe Driscoll serves as the treasurer for the SSEBHF. His other positions and accomplishments in this community include Captain (Ret), 51st PX-Class, Trustee, TUP, MBA, CFA, and SGM.

Mike Belcher spent his career as a firefighter. In 2010, he retired from the SFFD after 29 years of service, the last half of which was spent at Engine 12 in the Haight. Over the course of Mike’s life he has had the opportunity to help both family members and fellow firefighters obtain treatment for alcohol addiction. When he was asked to serve on the SFFEBHF foundation he jumped at the opportunity. Mike is proud to partner with this organization, and believes in the impact it has had and will continue to have in the lives of firefighters and their families.

Hi, my name is Dawn Rosales, and I was born and raised in the Mission District of San Francisco where I had a very tumultuous childhood. At the age of 33, I was hired for my dream job with the San Francisco Fire Department. It’s one of the best things that ever happened to me in this lifetime. After 21 years of being with the department, I now know that there is a lot that goes with it. In addition to surviving a very toxic childhood, I experienced many work-related situations that took place on the same streets in the same neighborhood I was raised, which compounded my PTSI that hadn’t yet been dealt with. Putting everything that I was already feeling and thinking together, along with the spacial physicality of the job, I fell into a dark hole and didn’t know what to do with myself after retirement.

I am Philip Lee, a retired firefighter from Engine 01, currently serving on the Board of Directors for SFFEBHF. I started in the fire department in 1993 and retired in 2018. My probationary period was spent on Engine 41 and Truck 19. Vacation relief was at Truck 7, Truck 13 and Engine 21. I spent most of my career at Engine 01. It was the best learning experience of my fire career. At the end of June 2017, doctors found a clot in my heart that they attributed to a virus infection. The toughest part of the diagnosis from the doctors was that my firefighting career was over. I was hospitalized for eleven days with six days in the Intensive Care Unit. I was disappointed that I didn’t leave the fire department on my terms. Walter Villacencio visited me every day while I was hospitalized. One of Walter Villacencio’s quotes was “don’t let the job of firefighting define who you are, but enjoy the people and things that are around you!” I took that to heart and am happy to be alive! Do not be afraid to ask for help!

Hi, I’m Janice Hayes. I was an active member of the San Francisco Fire Department from 1993-2020. I worked as a firefighter at Engine 36/Hazmat 1 from 1995-2009. I moved to the Bureau of Fire Prevention, Plan Check section until retirement in 2020. Prior to joining the SFFD I served 5 years active duty in the United States Marine Corps as an avionics technician on the now retired Grumman A-6 Intruder. I am a proud parent to a daughter and two sons.

Greetings, my name is Xavier Brown. I had the honor of joining the SFFD family in 2012, and I’m pretty sure I’ve been smiling ever since. As a probationary firefighter I was assigned to Truck 09 and Engine 12. Vacation relief at Station 14 and 38. I became a driver at 38 and now hang my hat (helmet) at Station 7 on RS2.

When Walter Villavicencio called me and gave me a brief description of his vision for SFFEBHF, I was impressed. He explained the need to help our members and how the need wasn’t quite being fulfilled. His commitment and hard work is tireless. His enthusiasm for helping is inspiring. I wouldn’t just figuratively but have literally followed Walt into a burning building. It’s a great honor to join the SFFEBHF.

Hi, I’m Kaeo. I’m originally from Hawaii, but now I live in San Mateo, California. I am a captain in the San Francisco Fire Department, and am currently assigned to the Airport Division. I’m passionate about helping others that experienced stressors in their lives. My goal is to best provide guidance when a member experiences a mental health crisis or just needs help. I have been trained is peer support, Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM), suicide prevention, and stress debriefing. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial & Organizational Psychology along with postgraduate studies in CISM. I have served for over 30 years in the SFFD, but before that, I served 20 seasons as a bartender for the San Francisco Giants!

Pia Crosby leads with compassion, empathy, and understanding. As the owner of Fierce Therapy, Pia is a Licensed Marital Family Therapist (LMFT), Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT), Energy & Sound Healer, Soul Doula (End-of-Life Doula), the wife of a First Responder and a mother of three amazing children. She works within an electric array of therapeutic modalities such as Trauma Informed Care which incorporates EMDR, Brainspotting, the Flash Technique, sound healing, movement, expressive arts, and creative expression.

I’m a second generation American and San Franciscan. My grandparents are from Italy and Ireland (this was a very common combination in SF in the 1950’s). I grew up in the Outer Mission. I joined the SFFD in 1982, and spent most of my career at Station 1 responding to calls in the Tenderloin. I have assisted many people throughout my life, both while working and personally, from alcohol and drug addiction to emotional and psychological issues. I feel like people trust me for a few reasons; I’m non-threatening, I am a social guy who likes people, and enjoy talking to most everyone.

I was born and raised in the fire service lifestyle. My grandfather, great-great uncle, and uncle were all San Francisco firemen. My brother and I followed suit. I became accustomed to what it takes and what it takes from you.

I served the San Francisco Fire Department and San Francisco Firefighters Union for 33 years and continue to do so. I have been a part of the SFFD community in various roles such as a fireman, Union Director, Union Vice President, and President of the San Francisco Firefighters Union Local 798. I have also been significantly involved as the chair of the San Francisco Firefighters Toy Program for many years. That organization is near and dear to my heart.

Kemp Hare, San Francisco Fire Department Paramedic, is currently assigned to Street Crisis Response and Station 49 EMS. He is a member of Behavioral Health Unit committee, Peer Response, and has over 18 years in EMS experience. Kemp has had experiences with large disaster response, critical incidents, and behavioral crisis intervention. He was a part of the San Bruno PG&E gas pipeline explosion, Asiana SFO crash, as well as Hurricane Irma deployment. He is a self-care advocate, outdoor recreation enthusiast, and a parent of two teenagers and a beagle.

Hello, my name is Dan Nazzareta, and I am a Paramedic Captain currently assigned to the SFFD Community Paramedicine Division, serving and supporting some of the city’s most vulnerable and underserved populations. I’ve been in this role for the last three years and before this assignment, I was a paramedic on an ambulance out of Station 49, where I started my SFFD career in 2012.

I was raised in San Francisco. I joined the SFFD in 1995 and worked most of my career at Rescue Squad 2 at Station 7. I am currently an Acting Lieutenant as the Technical Training Specialist at the Division of Training. I am currently the President of the Asian Firefighters Association and the President of the newly formed Asian Firefighters Charitable Foundation. I am a small business owner in San Francisco.

April started in public safety in 1997. Her own experience with PTSD motivated her to speak openly about the process and recovery with the hope of encouraging other first responders and reducing the stigma. Increasing awareness and accessibility to mental health services for first responders remains a main goal.