Pasadena Fire Department Personnel Climb the Ranks, Newly Promoted Badges Pinned at City Hall Ceremony

Pasadena Fire Chief Bertral Washington lead an intimate badge pinning ceremony at City Hall’s Council Chambers Thursday afternoon as four PFD personnel were promoted to new ranks within the department. The ceremony was attended by city officials, police and fire personnel and family members of the celebrated employees as years of hard work at the special gathering.

“We’re here today to recognize several of our employees who have moved up in rank. It’s a great day for the Pasadena Fire Department. This day means a culmination of years of hard work. Our firefighters spend a lot of time in preparing themselves, not only to apply and take the test to be successful in the Fire Academy, but also to become a firefighter. It takes literally years to prepare yourself to fulfill the positions that they’re filling now,” said Washington.

The newly promoted PFD personnel are Wendell Eaton, Jodi Slicker, Oscar A. Sepulveda and Jaime Pinedo.

“These diverse candidates were evaluated through an extensive promotional examination process and I am confident they will be successful in their positions,” said Pasadena Fire Chief Bertral Washington.

Wendell Eaton has been promoted from Captain to Battalion Chief and will serve as the Deputy Fire Marshal. Eaton was hired as an Auxiliary Firefighter in 1992 and became a full-time Firefighter/Paramedic in 1993. He has many achievements including developing the Pasadena Bike Medic Program, serving as a founding member of the Departments Honor Guard, lead Critical Incident Stress Management Coordinator and Terrorism Liaison Officer. Eaton was promoted to Fire Captain in 2005, was assigned as the Fire/Arson Investigator in 2011, and now serves as the regional Arson Task Force Coordinator. Eaton is married and the proud father of two children.

Jodi Slicker is the second female in the Department’s history to be promoted to Captain. Slicker joined the Department in 2006 as a Firefighter. In 2009, she obtained her Paramedic license. Slicker has served on many Department committees including Women in the Fire Service, Recruitment, Accreditation and Personal Protection Equipment. Slicker is also a Fire Ground Survival Training, and Emergency Medical Technician, Instructor, and has scored top honors in numerous CrossFit Firefighter competitions including a World Conference.

Oscar A. Sepulveda III was promoted to Captain after a sixteen year career in the fire service. He started with Kern County Fire Department and began working for Pasadena Fire in 2004. Sepulveda has spearheaded or been part of numerous committees and projects that showcase his commitment. In 2015, he was chosen as the Employee of the Year based on his role in the Accreditation process, Department’s Standards of Cover Report and Self-Assessment Manual. He was also instrumental in helping to reduce the City’s Insurance Services Office rating to Class 1, which resulted in reduced insurance premiums for the community. Sepulveda is married and the proud father of one young daughter.

Jaime Pinedo has been promoted to Engineer. He joined the department in 2005 after serving with the San Gabriel Fire Department as an Auxiliary Firefighter and with the Fullerton Fire Department as a Firefighter. Pinedo built bicycles for the Department’s

Bike Team and serves as a Paramedic Student Field Training Officer and Fire Ground Survival Instructor. Pinedo is also married.

“The Pasadena Fire Department is special first and foremost because of the people of this great city. We have people who expect and demand a certain amount of professionalism and excellence from every department within the city,” said Washington.

Washington explained that the PFD is a part of a global network of only 45 departments that are accredited as an ISO Class 1 department, which is a rating evaluated by the for profit, organization, Insurance Service Office, that provides statistical information on risk.

“We have become one of the best Fire Departments in the world,” said Washington.