Deputy Chief Steve Dawald grew up in southern California and graduated from Arcadia High School. He holds two Associate’s Degrees – one in Fire Protection Technology and one in Emergency Medical Services. His Bachelor’s degree is in Occupational Education (Eastern New Mexico University) and his Master’s degree is in Public Administration (Arkansas State University).
Steve began his firefighting career in 1989 as a fire explorer with the Los Angeles County Fire Department and became an EMT in 1990. During his college years, he worked for a private ambulance service and then in the mid-90s, volunteered for three local fire departments and attended paramedic training. These experiences solidified his interest and desire in becoming a full-time firefighter/paramedic - which led to his joining the LAFD in December of 1998. He quickly promoted to the rank of Driver Engineer in May of 2003 and Captain in July of 2005. He acted as an Operations Battalion Chief for eight months prior to his promotion to Battalion Chief in February of 2012.
Steve holds numerous certifications including: Paramedic, Fire Officer 1, 2, and 3, Fire Instructor 1, 2, and 3, and hazardous materials technician & team member. He was also a member of the Technical Rescue Team and vehicle committee for many years. He is an EMS Instructor/Coordinator and is certified to teach CPR, ACLS, and PALS. Steve is also the Fire Science and EMS Program Co-Chair for the University of New Mexico - Los Alamos campus. Steve was recently accepted into the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer Program which should be completed in 2020. When asked what his career highlights are, Steve’s response was “Every day that I come to work is a highlight. Loving what I do for a living and learning something new every day is a highlight. I love watching and helping others grow and develop and take great pride in seeing them reach their goals. Fighting fires and taking care of sick patients is rewarding, but the best part of all is working with a great group of people that would do anything for each other.” Steve is married to Melanie and they have a daughter named Cady. They enjoy spending time outdoors in the Jemez Mountains together with family and friends. They currently live in Rio Rancho and plan to move back to Los Alamos in the near future.
steve.dawald@lacnm.us
Kelly Sterna
Division Chief (Wildland)
Division Chief Kelly Sterna was born and raised in Deadwood, SD and graduated from Lead-Deadwood High School. Kelly was very involved in sports, playing Football and Basketball for the High School.
After High School, Kelly attended South Dakota School of Mines and Technology in Rapid City, SD. He currently is completing an Associate’s degree in Fire Science at Central New Mexico in addition to pursuing an Associate’s Degree in Emergency Management from Frederick Community College. Kelly was a volunteer with Red River Fire Department for 4 years prior to coming to LAFD primarily as a wildland firefighter. Kelly holds NWCG certifications for Engine Boss, Helicopter Crew member and Wildland Communications Technician. In March of 2005, Kelly was hired by the Los Alamos Fire Department.
During his 13 years at Los Alamos Fire Department Kelly has held the ranks of Firefighter I and II, Driver Engineer, Fire Captain, and Division Chief. He was also part of the Technical Rescue Team, Shift Training Team, SCBA team, and Communication team. Kelly has a daughter, Daryon, who is pursuing a law degree at UT-Austin.
Kelly describes the highlights of his career as mentoring other members, and making a positive change on a daily basis.
Kelly currently resides in Santa Fe. Kelly enjoys spending time with his family and friends, snowboarding, hiking, and is an avid sports fan.
kelly.sterna@lacnm.us
Wendy Servey
Division Chief (Fire and Life Safety/Fire Marshal)
Division Chief Wendy Servey started her fire service career in 1998 as a career firefighter/paramedic at Coventry Fire in Akron, Ohio. In 2004, she moved to New Mexico and started with the career department of Santa Fe County Fire, then in 2006, she transitioned to the Los Alamos Fire Department in 2006. Division Chief Servey has spent 20 years in the fire service serving as a Firefighter, Paramedic, Lieutenant, Captain, Battalion Chief, Division Chief. Leadership roles in the County include her service assignments in Safety, Fire Operations, and the Fire Marshal’s Office.
Chief Servey has an associate's degree in Applied Science in Fire Science and a Bachelor of Science degree in Technology. She currently attending the Executive Fire Officer’s Program at the National Fire Academy.
Chief Servey finds time to volunteer as a firefighter in the community where she lives near Santa Fe. She and her partner Liz, who also volunteers as a firefighter, are looking to discover more time for hiking, RV’ing, traveling and lounging with their two chocolate labradors.
wendy.servey@lacnm.us
Joseph Baca
Division Chief (Safety)
Division Chief Joseph Baca was born and raised in Northern New Mexico and graduated from Escalante High School. After High School he attended Adams State University in Colorado where he received his Associate of Science Degree, he then moved to Albuquerque to work and continue his education. Joseph comes from a family of public servants. His Father was a Fire Management Officer for the Carson National Forest, a brother who serves in the Army as a Chief Warrant Officer, he has 2 brothers who are career firefighters, and a son who followed in his footsteps as a firefighter for LAFD. Joseph has another brother who is the assistant field director for the NM State Land Office, and his only sister is the Executive Assistant at the health clinic in Tierra Amarilla.
Joseph joined the Los Alamos Fire Department in 1997, throughout his career he has promoted through the ranks of Firefighter, Driver Engineer, Captain, Training Captain and now Division Chief of Safety. Joseph became a paramedic in 2003 and has been part of several of LAFD’s specialty teams such as; Public Education, Technical Rescue, and Haz-Mat.
Joseph currently lives in Northern New Mexico, (Canjilon) with his wife Loretta and two daughters. Marissa who is attending the University of New Mexico and Elyssa, a senior at Escalante High School. His son Ryan, and his wife Sandra have blessed Joseph with three grandchildren; Isabella, Allie, and Ryder.
jm.baca@lacnm.us