The Cambria Community Services District Fire Department is proud to recognize and honor the dedicated first responders who serve our community with professionalism, courage, and compassion. These individuals are the first to arrive in times of crisis—responding to fires, medical emergencies, and public safety threats with unwavering commitment.

Chief Burkey was born and raised on the Central Coast of California and currently resides in Paso Robles. He graduated from Atascadero High School in 1996 and, that same year moved to San Diego, California. He obtained his EMT certification in 1997 from Miramar College and began working for East County Fire Protection District as a Firefighter/EMT. He continued through school and worked for various ambulance agencies in San Diego County, including AMR, before relocating back to San Luis Obispo County, where he continued his EMS career with San Luis Ambulance. He became a Paramedic with San Luis Ambulance in 2004 after attending N.C.T.I. in Milpitas, Ca. During his time at SLAS, he obtained his ACLS, PALS, and PHTLS Instructor and began teaching at the Cuesta College Paramedic Program. He became a full-time Firefighter/Paramedic in 2009 with the Selma City Fire Department. In 2010, he became a full-time employee with the Cambria Community Healthcare District, and shortly after, in 2011, he became a Reserve Firefighter with the Cambria Fire Department. He obtained his Engineer qualification in June 2016 and was hired as a full-time Engineer Paramedic in December 2016. He went on to become a member of the County USAR Team in 2017 and obtained his OIC qualification in 2019. In 2018, he was awarded San Luis Obispo County Training Officer of the Year. Michael was appointed as the full-time Fire Captain Paramedic in July 2021 and became the permanent Fire Chief in December 2023.

Captain Castellanos was born and raised in Cambria and graduated from Coast Union High School. He started his fire career in Siskiyou County as a Firefighter with the Lake Shastina Fire Department. He has worked for the Cambria Fire Department since 2012 as a Firefighter, was promoted to Fire Engineer in December 2016, and was promoted to Fire Captain EMT in January 2023. He has also worked for Cambria Ambulance and CAL FIRE. 

Captain Brooks began his fire service career in 2005 as a Paid Call Firefighter at Avila Valley—Station 62. As a fifth-generation local and 2003 graduate of San Luis Obispo High School, he has deep roots on the Central Coast.

He went on to serve eight seasons as a Seasonal Firefighter with Cal Fire in San Luis Obispo County. During that time, he also launched and operated a CrossFit gym, combining public service with a passion for fitness and coaching. He later worked as a Firefighter and Engineer at the Atascadero State Hospital Fire Department before being promoted to Fire Captain with Cambria Fire in January 2024.

Captain McGill was born and raised in Templeton, CA and graduated from Templeton High School in 2005. In 2006, Greg moved to Bakersfield where he attended Bakersfield College and started his associate's degree in Fire Technology and now holds a degree in Fire Technology. In 2007 he started working for Kern County Fire as a seasonal fire fighter, as a crew member of helicopter 408 and was then hired as a full-time fire fighter in January of 2010 and has been in the fire service since then. In 2013, Greg formed a local non-profit called Honor Flight Central Coast of California. He now resides back in Templeton and got married to his wife Alex in March 2022 and they are proud to be an aunt and uncle to 3 nieces and 2 nephews. 

Engineer Kayla Graves earned a Bachelor of Science, Forestry and Natural Resources degree from California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo in June 2016. She completed the California State Certified Firefighter 1 Academy in December 2016 and the Paramedic Program at Cuesta College in November 2019. She has worked at CAL FIRE SLO as a Training Center Intern, SLO County Fire Department as a Paid Call Firefighter, Cayucos Fire Department as a Reserve Engineer, San Luis Ambulance as an Emergency Medical Technician and Paramedic, Templeton Fire Department as a Reserve Firefighter, Cambria Community Healthcare District as a Paramedic and Cambria Fire Department as a Reserve Fire Engineer since March 2017. She is currently working on an Associate of Science in Wildland Fire Technology from Allan Hancock College. Kayla was chosen to fill the provisional Fire Engineer Paramedic vacancy in July 2021 and hired as the full-time Fire Engineer Paramedic in September 2021.

Engineer Evers began his fire service journey in 2014 as a Reserve Firefighter with South Bay Fire in Los Osos. In 2019, he joined Cambria Ambulance as a Reserve EMT and transitioned to Cambria Fire in 2020. Since then, he’s been promoted to Engineer. Alongside his work with Cambria Fire, Christian is an Ocean Lifeguard in Cayucos and a Paramedic Program Teacher's Assistant at Cuesta College. One of his most memorable experiences has been ocean rescue training with boats and helicopters along Cambria’s rugged coastline. He holds Associate degrees in Arts & Humanities, Welding Technology, and Paramedicine.

Firefighter Blume joined Cambria Fire as a Reserve in 2021. He was promoted to SAFER Firefighter in September 2023 and transitioned to the Reserve Firefighter position in July 2025. He was promoted to Engineer in September 2025.

He brings valuable experience from his time as a Paid Call Firefighter with San Luis Obispo County Fire and as a Wildland Firefighter with CAL FIRE in Monterey County. One of his most memorable work experiences has been participating in burn operations for vegetation management projects. He holds an Associate’s degree in Fire Technology and is actively pursuing an Associate’s in Paramedics.

Firefighter Stewart came to Cambria Fire in January of 2022 and serves as a  Firefighter Paramedic. Wil comes to Cambria Fire with years of volunteer firefighter experience at Columbia Fire Protection District, and as a Paramedic at San Luis Ambulance since 2018, where he currently still works as a Reserve Paramedic. Wil also mentors and teaches paramedic students at Cuesta College's Paramedic program, where he has worked for several years.

In his time off work, Wil enjoys hiking throughout the county and rock climbing with his fiancée, Maddi. He has a passion for kayak fishing the coastal waters of SLO, and you're likely to find him fishing out of leffingwell, or at San Simeon after work. Having lived in SLO county for 8 years, Wil’s favorite part about working in Cambria is the weather and the coastal atmospehere.  

Firefighter Kanner began his fire service career in 2017 after graduating from Allan Hancock’s Fire Academy. He gained experience as a Reserve Firefighter with Morro Bay Fire Department and later worked with San Luis Ambulance, where he quickly advanced from Reserve EMT to Full-Time Paramedic after completing the Cuesta Paramedic Program in 2021.

In 2023, Drew joined Cambria Fire as a Firefighter Paramedic. Before entering the Fire Service, he worked as an Ocean Lifeguard for the City of Laguna Beach. His most memorable experience includes responding to out-of-county fires and training with the CHP Helicopter. Drew holds an Associate’s Degree in Paramedicine.

Firefighter Loudermilk started his public safety career in 2003 as an Ocean Lifeguard and has since gained experience working on 911 ambulances in Los Angeles and Santa Barbara County, as well as serving as a Reserve and Wildland Firefighter. His most memorable experience was as an Aerial-Delivered Firefighter for the U.S. Forest Service.

He joined the Cambria Fire Department in 2021 and was promoted to Full-Time Firefighter in 2023. In addition to his role with the department, Tyler serves as a Reserve with Cambria Ambulance. He holds an Associate’s Degree in Fire Technology and a Bachelor’s Degree in Homeland Security and Emergency Management, and is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Organizational Leadership.

Henry Wright was hired as a Reserve Firefighter with the Cambria Fire Department in November 2024.

Henry grew up in Cambria and has always loved the outdoors and being part of a close community. He spends his free time with his girlfriend, family, and close friends, and he’s usually either out mountain biking or working on his Jeep.

His journey in the fire service began when he graduated from the Monterey Peninsula College Fire Academy in May 2024. A few months later, he was hired part-time with the City of Greenfield in August and joined the Cambria Fire as a Reserve Firefighter in November. He was promoted to SAFER Firefighter in February 2026.

Ethan Klemowicz proudly serves as a SAFER Firefighter with the Cambria Fire Department. Born and raised on California’s Central Coast, he is a graduate of Arroyo Grande High School and is honored to now serve the community he has long called home.

Ethan began his career in public safety in 2015 as a California State Parks Lifeguard at the Oceano Dunes District, where he has served for over a decade. In 2021, he was promoted to Lifeguard II and, in 2019, was recognized by his peers as Lifeguard of the Year. In addition to his operational duties, Ethan serves as an Instructor for the California State Parks Lifeguard Academy, held annually at Huntington State Beach. Teaching and mentoring future lifeguards has been one of the most rewarding aspects of his career, allowing him to help develop the next generation of public safety professionals.

Ethan continued his education at Cuesta College, where he completed the Emergency Medical Technician Program and earned an Associate’s Degree in Liberal Arts: Arts and Humanities in 2021. During his time at Cuesta, he was also a member of the Cuesta College Men’s Water Polo Team, where he developed a strong foundation in teamwork and commitment.

In 2021, Ethan expanded his service into wildland firefighting by joining Santa Lucia Crew 7. In 2022, he earned the opportunity to serve on the Arroyo Grande Interagency Hotshot Crew (IHC) Crew 3, where he worked for three seasons as a saw team member. He is also a recent graduate of the Allan Hancock College Fire Academy Battalion 155, where he gained extensive hands-on experience in fire department emergency operations, community-based customer service, and the disciplined roles and responsibilities of a firefighter.

Ethan’s background in ocean rescue, emergency medical services, and wildland firefighting has provided him with a diverse and well-rounded foundation in public safety. He remains committed to continued growth, training, and serving the residents and visitors of Cambria with professionalism and dedication. It is a privilege for him to serve and protect the very community that helped shape him.

Firefighter Berkeland began his fire service career in 2025 after graduating from Allan Hancock’s Fire Academy. He served as a Seasonal Firefighter with Morro Bay and was hired as a SAFER Firefighter/EMT with Cambria CSD in February 2026.

Cole attended Cal Poly where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Agriculture Systems Management and a minor in both AgBusiness and Construction Management. He also competed in rodeo and led a wetlands conservation group while at Cal Poly. Before the fire service, Cole worked in construction management for a BioTech General Contractor and a Solar and Energy Storage Contractor. He looks forward to pursuing Paramedicine, Ocean Rescue, and USAR specialties while he continues his career.