Reprint from the Progress Times - April 20, 2007
©Progress Times 2007 - All Rights Reserved

Mission Chief Is Honored As Valley's 'Firefighter Of Year'

Mission Fire Chief Rick Saldaña has been named "Firefighter of the Year” by the Rio Grande Valley Firefighters/Marshal's Association.

"Chief Saldaña has been a great leader to not only his city and district but also to the State of Texas," Brownsville Fire Chief Leonardo Perez said in recommending him for the award, which was presented at the association's meeting in La Sara in Willacy County.

The chief's reaction? "Surprise," he said, adding, "But it was great. I was really honored to be chosen this recognition by my peers and fellow firefighters."

Perez pointed out the Mission chief during his more than 25 years as a firefighter has served as district president of the Valley Fire Marshals and Firefighters Association.

Currently, he said, in addition to being chief, he also is emergency management coordinator for Mission.

Saldaña, he said, is a past president of the Hidalgo Fire Chiefs Association, is a past board member of the Rio Grande Valley Firefighters Academy and is a member of the Arson Task Force.

He has served as one of the members of the Texas Commission on Fire Protection and while he was serving in that position, addressed rules that streamlined certifications and eligibility requirements for all firefighters.

Saldaña oversees allocations of grant funds to see that they are distributed as equally as possible to all departments.

In addition, he holds certifications with the Texas Commission on Fire Protection as an advanced firefighter, intermediate instructor, fire inspector and arson investigator. He also is TECLOSE certified as a peace officer.

Perez said the chief volunteers his time to both his church and the Mission Lions Club.

A native of Mission, Saldaña is a Mission High School graduate. His wife, Mellie, is a member of the Valley Firefighters Ladies Auxiliary.