District 7 Fire Rescue Honors Members at Annual Awards Ceremony

Each year, District 7 Fire Rescue gathers to celebrate the holiday season and recognize the outstanding dedication, professionalism, and service of its members. During this year’s annual Christmas Party, the department proudly presented its yearly awards—honoring individuals who exemplify the values and mission of District 7 Fire Rescue—along with the presentation of one of the department’s highest honors, the District 7 Medal of Valor.

Firefighter of the Year

Firefighter/Paramedic Chris Vasquez

Firefighter of the Year was awarded to Firefighter Chris Vasquez, marking the second time in his four-year career with District 7 Fire Rescue that he has received this honor. Firefighter Vasquez is an active member of both the Wildland Team and the Rescue Team, and is widely known throughout the department for his reliability, professionalism, and passion for the fire service.

Firefighter Vasquez consistently holds himself to a high standard and is someone others can depend on in both routine operations and high-stress incidents. He is deeply committed to training and is always willing to help develop those around him, making a lasting impact on the department as a whole. His knowledge, work ethic, and dedication to continuous improvement make him truly deserving of this recognition.

Paramedic of the Year

Firefighter/Paramedic Christian Powell

The Paramedic of the Year award was presented to Firefighter/Paramedic Christian Powell, a member of District 7 Fire Rescue for eight years. Firefighter Powell also serves as a medic in the Air Force Reserve, with multiple deployments, bringing invaluable experience and perspective to his role in the department.

In addition to being a member of the department’s Rescue Team, Firefighter Powell is one of District 7’s certified Flight Paramedics, reflecting his advanced skill set and dedication to excellence in emergency medical care. He consistently holds himself to the highest standards of patient care, stays current on EMS research and best practices, and routinely performs at a high level during critical calls. His passion for EMS and commitment to positive patient outcomes are a tremendous asset to both the department and the community.

Engineer of the Year

Engineer Jeremy Marin

Engineer of the Year was awarded to Engineer Jeremy Marin, who has served District 7 Fire Rescue for seven years. Engineer Marin is a member of the Wildland Team, Rescue Team, and Drone Team, and is widely respected for his tireless work ethic and operational efficiency.

On the fireground, Engineer Marin is known for his drive to accomplish tasks quickly and effectively while maintaining a strong focus on safety and teamwork. He is often looked to as a mentor by fellow members and plays a key role in maintaining morale within the department. His willingness to help others and his commitment to excellence make him an outstanding representative of District 7 Fire Rescue.

Officer of the Year

Lieutenant Matt Post

The Officer of the Year award was presented to Lieutenant Matt Post, a seven-year member of District 7 Fire Rescue. Lieutenant Post serves as the department’s Public Information Officer, UAS (Drone) Program Manager, and is a member of the Wildland Team.

In addition to leading B Shift, Lieutenant Post plays a vital role in organizing and supporting public outreach initiatives such as the department’s Open House and Santa Runs, while also maintaining the department’s website and social media presence. He is committed to mentoring members both professionally and personally, encouraging growth, leadership development, and pride in the organization.

Chief of the Year

Battalion Chief Nathan Lafield

Chief of the Year was awarded to Battalion Chief Nathan Lafield, a 14-year veteran of District 7 Fire Rescue and the Battalion Chief for A Shift. Chief Lafield is a member of the Wildland Team and leads the department’s Rescue Team, which he was instrumental in creating and developing from its inception.

Chief Lafield is highly knowledgeable and passionate about sharing his experience with others, always encouraging learning and improvement across the department. He is deeply committed to the well-being of his crew and their families, providing strong leadership both on and off the incident scene. This year, Chief Lafield also deployed to assist with the Kerr County Floods as a member of Texas Task Force 1, serving on a boat team during rescue operations.

District 7 Medal of Valor

During the annual awards ceremony, District 7 Fire Rescue proudly presented the District 7 Medal of Valor to Battalion Chief Nathan Lafield and Lieutenant Warren Salyer.

The Medal of Valor is one of the department’s highest honors and is awarded to members who demonstrate extraordinary courage and heroism, knowingly placing themselves at great personal risk in order to save the lives of others and bring honor to the organization.

Medal of Valor Incident – June 12 Swift Water Rescue

On June 12, during a severe weather event, District 7 Fire Rescue responded to reports of two young females trapped in rapidly rising floodwaters near FM 1560. The victims were surrounded by fast-moving water, clinging to branches, and showing signs of exhaustion.

Recognizing the immediate danger, Battalion Chief Lafield and Lieutenant Salyer entered the swift water, placing themselves in a highly hazardous environment with strong currents and limited footing. Despite the risk to their own lives, both officers moved toward the victims in order to reach them before conditions worsened.

Through their actions in the water, both victims were successfully rescued and brought to safety. The courage, composure, and selflessness demonstrated during this incident directly prevented a tragic outcome.

The actions of Battalion Chief Nathan Lafield and Lieutenant Warren Salyer reflect the highest traditions of the fire service. Their willingness to place themselves in harm’s way to protect others is why they were awarded the District 7 Medal of Valor.

District 7 Fire Rescue is proud to recognize each of these outstanding members for their dedication, professionalism, and service. The commitment shown by this year’s award recipients reflects the values that define our department—selflessness, teamwork, and an unwavering dedication to our community. We congratulate all of those honored and thank them for the sacrifices they and their families make in service to District 7. It is because of individuals like these that our residents can trust they are protected by a team committed to excellence, both on and off the emergency scene.