Photograph by Kathy De La Torre
Photo: New Captain
Ron Vega, who has fought fires for the Saratoga Fire District for 18 years, was recently promoted to captain. Vega, 39, who lives with his wife, Debra, and three children in Los Gatos, began as a volunteer and quickly made his way up the career ladder to a full-time firefighter and then to the position of engineer, before being promoted to captain, effective March 1. He replaces Steve Sporleder, a 32-year district veteran, who retired in December. Vega became interested in the fire service upon returning to Saratoga--where he grew up--after college at San Diego State University. His neighbors were all volunteer firefighters, he said, and Vega soon found he liked the 'local spirit' of the SFD. SFD firefighter Berk Gilson has been promoted to engineer to replace Vega.
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Saratoga, California Since 1955
