WATSONVILLE — After serving in the firefighting world since 1985, Battalion Chief Greg Estrada, 49, of Pajaro Valley Fire is bracing to hang up his helmet at the end of the month.
“This has been a great career and I work with so many wonderful people,” Estrada said Wednesday at his desk at Pajaro Valley Fire on Casserly Road. “My last working day is Aug. 25. After 32 years I feel it’s time to move on and call it a career. I want to play a role on the family ranch.”
Estrada emphasized, “I had some good mentors, particularly in Monterey County where they really instilled some good values. My measuring stick, I learned from others is: are you working in good government. There is a lot of promise in our young firefighters. The fire department has really changed and I have seen a lot of technological change.”
Estrada said he has been pleased with some “big accomplishments” within the district.
“This district is in good shape,” he said. “My battalion is from Highway 17, south. This is my state responsibility; it’s a big area.”
