Riverside County Volunteer Firefighters

The son of a firefighter, brother to fellow firefighters, a father of five and a friend of youth, Alex Reynoso understands the importance of getting kids fired up about education.

Reynoso has lived in Woodlake his entire life and has spent most of that time helping to make his community a safer place. At the age of 16, Reynoso was already following in his father’s footsteps to become a fireman as an Explorer with the Woodlake Fire District. His father, Pablo Reynoso, just completed his 30th year as a WFD volunteer firefighter.

“He has been a volunteer since before I was born,” Reynoso said. “So as soon as I turned 18 I became a volunteer here too.”

While attending Woodlake High School he was a star on the football field being named the team’s MVP. And despite dropping out of high school, Reynoso showed his dedication to education by returning to school to get his degree six years later and is currently studying fire science at College of the Sequoias. By the age of 20 he was already an engineer and is now in his third year as a full-time engineer with the fire district. In 2002 he was named WFD’s Firefighter of the Year, received its Recognition of Appreciation in 2005 and Excellence in Leadership Award last year.

“When you are a firefighter you are part of a brotherhood that is not just in Woodlake but across the state and the nation,” Reynoso said. “So no matter where you are, you have family and people that are looking out for you.”

Since joining WFD as a volunteer 10 years ago, Reynoso has provided a spark to the district’s efforts to education children about fire safety and more. Reynoso spends almost as much time in the classroom as he does in the fire station. He coordinates fire safety programs at F.J. White Learning Center and Castlerock Elementary, helps organize the Woodlake Carnival in the spring and fall, participates in the annual Santa’s Sleigh Ride in December, makes sure the fire district is at the annual Health Fair, volunteers at Woodlake Police Chief John Zapalac’s Camp Zap, sells Kids Day newspapers for Children’s Hospital Central California, Fill the Helmet for the burn victims and support local paramedics at the high school football games.

“Whenever the schools call we try and show up,” Reynoso said. “Sometimes it’s about fire safety, sometimes it’s to jump rope with the kids for physical fitness. Whatever they need.”

His dedication to youth is why he was chosen as the Woodlake’s 2010 Man of the Year. He was presented with the award during the 49th annual awards dinner on March 11.

“This really caught me off guard,” Reynoso said. “I feel grateful and privileged to receive this award.”

Reynoso and wife Melissa have five children, all of whom are attending Woodlake schools where he spends most of his time. Alex, Jr., 11, Marianna, 9, Gabriel, 8, and Alicha, 7, all attend Castlerock Elementary while Janessa, who is 9 and a half months old, has a few years before watching Dad stop, drop and roll at F.J. White.

“It’s fun to see them at the schools,” Reynoso said. “They also help me to get down to their level and talk to kids and keep their attention. They have taught me a lot.”

Reynoso said without his wife, who also works outside of their home, he wouldn’t be able to go to schools, attend college courses, go to work and raise a family. He said his job can be especially demanding when there are major firestorms out of the area, such as 2008 when he spent 42 days away from home to battle the Southern California wildfires.

“She is the best possible wife you could ask for,” Reynoso said. “She puts up with me being gone, keeps everything organized and makes it all happen.”


courtesy http://www.thesungazette.com/articles/2011/03/23/news/news02.txt