Behind the Badge
In 2018, Anaheim Fire & Rescue personnel helped battle the Mendocino Complex Fire, the largest in state history, and the Camp Fire, the most destructive blaze in California history.
That level of dedication demonstrated by fire and rescue personnel in combatting these disasters has been well documented through streams of video and news coverage.
For residents and businesses in Anaheim, it’s the same level of dedication they see every day.
Anaheim Fire & Rescue Engineer Michael White, center, is congratulated by Interim Fire Chief Pat Russell, left, and his father, William White, right, after receiving his new badge.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Many of these heroes, both on the front lines and behind the scenes, were celebrated during the Anaheim Fire & Rescue Promotion Ceremony held May 17 at River Church in Anaheim.
“I have had the privilege of working with fire organizations across the nation,” Interim Fire Chief Pat Russell said.” As such I have seen the best and the brightest personnel from the smallest to the largest fire agencies in America. I can say with confidence that Anaheim Fire & Rescue ranks at the top in the type and caliber of employees we hire and promote.”
Anaheim Fire & Rescue Engineer Michael White hugs his father, William White, after receiving his new badge during a promotion ceremony.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Prior to the announcement of the promotions, Capt. Dave Barry received a “Going Above and Beyond” award and Capt. Aaron Mooney received the honor of “Firefighter of the Year.”
Barry was hired by Anaheim Fire & Rescue as a paramedic in 1996, was promoted to fire engineer in 2005, and was promoted to captain in 2012. He became the Emergency Medical Services Manager in 2014.
Anaheim Fire & Rescue Engineer Michael White, center, with Interim Fire Chief Pat Russell, left, and his father, William White, right, after White received his new badge.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Barry spearheaded a new Ambulance Transport model that was recently approved by the Anaheim City Council which created unprecedented transparency and cost recovery in the EMS system.
He manages the aerial drone program and was one of the first fire department drone operators in the state.
Barry oversees training of emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics and manages medic coverage for the Ducks and Angels and the Community Care Response Unit.
Firefighter/Paramedic/HAZMAT Specialist/PIO and Master of Ceremonies Franky Mora welcomes everyone to Anaheim Fire & Rescue’s promotion ceremony at River Church in Anaheim.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Mooney has been serving Anaheim Fire & Rescue for 18 years and was a firefighter and fire engineer before being promoted to captain assigned to the department’s Hazardous Materials Response Team as a HAZMAT Specialist.
Mooney holds the position of Planning Section Chief on a National Incident Management Team where he responds nationwide to large scale and complex wildfires and natural disasters. He is also a member of the California Urban Search and Rescue Task Force, which responds to natural disasters like earthquakes and floods across the nation.
The Anaheim Fire & Rescue Honor Guard enters the room as everyone stands for the National Anthem during the department’s promotion ceremony at River Church in Anaheim.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
He participated recently in a two-year, multi-million dollar project involving replacing more than 400 radios used by the department.
Personnel receiving promotions in 2018
Mike Molloy – Deputy Chief
Michael Byard – Battalion Chief
Tim Sandifer – Battalion Chief
Mark Hernandez – Captain
Scott Mattis – Captain
Jamison Bennett – Engineer
Adriel Martinez – Engineer
Nolan Karns – Engineer
Michael White – Engineer
Sean Infante – Shift Supervisor (MetroNet)
Melissa Saucedo – P/T Dispatcher II
Vailani Perreira – F/T dispatcher
Andy Torres – Community Risk Reduction I
Anaheim Fire & Rescue Engineer Nolan Karns receives his new badge from Interim Fire Chief Pat Russell during a promotion ceremony.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Graduates from the 2019 Academy
Firefighter/paramedic: Brent Basaites, Jonathan Burckle, Amanda Hartel, Ryan Hurley, Ryan Kirrish, Cameron Trentini and Corbin Youngberg.
Firefighter: Jeremy Ene, Alexander Hicks, Ray Holley, Michael Lemmon, Curtis Malloy, Gustavo Murillo-Castro, Jeffrey Newell, Michael Steeber and Brandon Wooten.
Anaheim Fire & Rescue Interim Fire Chief Pat Russell with Metro Cities F/T Dispatcher II Melissa Saucedo after she received her new badge.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Metro Cities F/T Dispatcher II Melissa Saucedo receives her new badge from Anaheim Fire & Rescue Interim Fire Chief Pat Russell.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Capt. Aaron Mooney, right, is presented with Anaheim Fire & Rescue’s 2019 Firefighter of the Year award by Interim Fire Chief Pat Russell.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Anaheim Fire & Rescue Master of Ceremonies Franky Mora, left, and Anaheim Fire & Rescue command staff, right, congratulates the fire department’s promotees during a promotion ceremony. The promotees are (from left) Battalion Chief Michael Byard, Battalion Chief Tim Sandifer, Capt. Scott Mattis, Engineer Jamison Bennett, Engineer Adriel Martinez, Engineer Nolan Karns, Engineer Michael White, Interim Fire Chief Pat Russell and Deputy Chief Mike Molloy.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Anaheim Fire & Rescue Interim Fire Chief Pat Russell, left, congratulates Deputy Chief of Support Services Mike Molloy on receiving his new badge.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Anaheim Fire & Rescue Interim Fire Chief Pat Russell, left, with Capt. Scott Mattis after Mattis received his new badge.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Anaheim Fire & Rescue Battalion Chief Tim Sandifer, center, smiles after receiving his new badge from Interim Fire Chief Pat Russell, left, and his father, David Sandifer, right.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Anaheim Fire & Rescue Battalion Chief Tim Sandifer, right, has his badge pinned to him by his father, David, during a promotion ceremony.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Anaheim Fire & Rescue Interim Fire Chief Pat Russell, left, with Battalion Chief Michael Byard after Byard received his new badge.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Anaheim Fire & Rescue Battalion Chief Michael Byard, right, is congratulated by Interim Fire Chief Pat Russell after receiving his new badge.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Firefighters place their hands on their hearts during the singing of the National Anthem.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
The Anaheim Fire & Rescue Honor Guard posts the colors for the National Anthem at the start of Anaheim Fire & Rescue’s promotion ceremony.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Kevin Claussen sings the National Anthem.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Anaheim Fire & Rescue Interim Fire Chief Pat Russell, left, with Engineer Adriel Martinez after Martinez received his new badge.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Anaheim Fire & Rescue Engineer Adriel Martinez, right, is congratulated by Interim Fire Chief Pat Russell before receiving his new badge.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Anaheim Fire & Rescue Engineer Jamison Bennett is congratulated by his cousin, Anaheim Fire & Rescue Engineer Robert Tebbutt, right, after Bennett received his new badge. Interim Fire Chief Pat Russell is left.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Anaheim Fire & Rescue Engineer Jamison Bennett, right, is congratulated by Interim Fire Chief Pat Russell after receiving his new badge.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Anaheim Fire & Rescue Engineer Nolan Karns, right, is congratulated by Interim Fire Chief Pat Russell after receiving his new badge.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
