Current Events

 New Firefighters

 David C. Parker

Dave started in Northern California working as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and Paramedic in Redding.  Five years ago, he came to San Luis Obispo and worked for San Luis Ambulance Company providing his services as a Paramedic to the whole county.  He began his fire service career as a reserve Firefighter/ Paramedic for the Morro Bay Fire Department.  Later he moved to Paso Robles and began working as a Firefighter/Paramedic when in 2003 he responded to the San Simeon Earthquake.  David then moved to San Diego where he began working with the San Diego City Fire Department. 

In addition to his Paramedic License, David has numerous certificates for competency in:  Confined Space Rescue, Swift Water and Surf Rescue, Trench Rescues, Wildland Firefighting, Hazardous Materials, Fire Cause Investigation.

He enjoys backpacking, mountain biking and rock-climbing.  In September, he plans to marry his fiancée whose family resides in the Edna Valley.

Geovani S. Gabriele

For four years Geovani worked for the Ventura County Fire Department as a Firefighter/Paramedic.  Two years ago, he moved his family to San Luis Obispo “in order to raise our two children in the environment we all know and love”.  And for those two years, he commuted to Simi Valley where he worked.

On one particular day, during his time with Ventura County Fire Department, he responded to the massive La Conchita landslide.  As a Paramedic, he was assigned as the Triage Officer and sorted the injured to determine who needed to be treated first.  He later was involved in some very involved, and ultimately successful, rescues from those homes. 

Geovani also has numerous certificates of training in:  Trench Rescue, Confined Space Rescue, Urban Search and Rescue, HazMat including Terrorism Training.  He was an active member of the CERT Instructor Cadre and recognizes the value of teaching to citizens those skills, knowledge and abilities so they can operate safely in disasters.  He is also involved as a instructor and Tactical Officer in the fire academy at Allan Hancock College.

Fire Engineer Matt Jeckell

Matt started work with the San Luis Obispo Fire Department in 2001 working as a part-time employee.  He began in the fire service working three seasons as a Firefighter for San Luis Obispo California Department of Forestry (CDF) and one season as an Engineer with CDF in Monterey.   He was hired as a Firefighter in 2002 with San Luis Obispo City Fire Department.   Matt has been studying at the California Specialized Training Institute to become certified as a Hazardous Materials Specialist and to be assigned to the County Hazardous Materials Team   Matt was promoted to Fire Engineer on June 9, 2006.  He also has a bachelor’s degree in Fire Administration.