“Everyone has a unique perspective in life.”

Why did you become a firefighter?

Captain David Santos was first introduced to the fire service by a neighbor. Santos would typically pass a gentleman who worked in his front yard while he walked home from school. The neighbor worked for the Los Angeles County Fire Department, and one day he asked young Mr. Santos if he was interested in becoming a firefighter.

Santos was too young at the time, but the firefighter told him about the LA County Fire Department Explorer Program and invited him to join once he was old enough.

Before David was old enough to join the program, his family moved to a new location. However, that didn’t stop him from finding his way into the fire service. He quickly found the closest firefighter explorer program in Colton, CA and reached out to the department.

Santos became an explorer there and ended up earning a job as a firefighter at the City of Colton Fire Department several years later.

Today, Captain Santos is Fire Captain, PIO, and social media manager for the Colton Fire Department. He also owns his own Crossfit gym, which he and his wife opened in 2012.

What advice do you have for other firefighters?

“Continue to learn — in your career and in life.”

On top of being a full-time firefighter and managing a gym with his wife, Captain Santos has three children who look up to him as a role model. For him, continued learning is the key to balancing all of his responsibilities and continuing to grow as a person and a leader.

With the novel challenges presented by COVID-19, Captain Santos has had to adapt as a firefighter and a business owner. Fortunately, their gym has been able to overcome the adversity presented by the pandemic. He credits his wife, who makes it all possible.

What changes do you foresee in the fire service?

Throughout his career, Captain Santos has seen many changes in the fire service. From new building materials affecting firefighting tactics to evidence-based CPR changing the way EMS provides life-saving support, the change has been vast and impactful.

While he’s seen many changes already, Captain Santos believes that many more changes are on the horizon.

Diversity and inclusion efforts are likely to be at the top of the list of changes coming down the pipeline. “The fire service is a micro-climate of society,” Captain Santos noted, “and the changes we’re seeing in society are likely to make their way into the fire service in the near future.”

Captain Santos is looking ahead to make sure he and his department are able to keep up with the changes. “It’s just a matter of being forward thinking. Read the signs, go with the flow, and guide it however we can,” Santos stated.

“Everyone has a unique perspective in life.” Understanding this one simple concept has made a world of difference in Captain Santos’ career.

Each person has their own experiences ranging from their upbringing to their career(s) prior to joining the fire service.

“Accepting these differences and understanding how to work with unique individuals has helped me in the fire service and in life.”