Pasadena Fire Chief Announces Promotions of Four Personnel

Pasadena Fire announces promotion of four of their own. – Photo courtesy of Pasadena Fire Department

Pasadena Fire Chief Bertral Washington has announced the promotions of four personnel, including the Department’s second female Captain, effective Nov. 28.

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.

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

A badge pinning ceremony will take place in early December for these personnel in addition to Bryan Frieders, previously announced as the new Deputy Chief/Fire Marshal.