The Los Angeles Fire Department CERT Program is excited to introduce Firefighter CERT Instructors Joe Santa Maria and Ted Debs to our team! A very Special Thank You to Council Member Bob Blumenfield CD3 and the Los Angeles Mayor’s Office for their supportive actions and collaboration that has increased CERT Training opportunities for the community, with these (2) additional LAFD CERT Instructor positions.
Firefighter Joe Santa Maria is a 19 Year veteran of the Los Angeles Fire Department with fire suppression experience spanning across Los Angeles. Firefighter Santa Maria was assigned to Fire Station 39 (VanNuys, CA), Fire Station 68 (Mid-City, Los Angeles), (LAFD Fire Station 61 – Miracle Mile (Los Angeles Fire Department)), and finally his last assignment Fire Station 85 (Harbor City, California). Firefighter Santa Maria is Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) Certified and is a fluent Spanish speaker. Joe spends most of his off-duty time traveling and coaching his two son’s football and baseball teams. Firefighter Santa Maria is excited to facilitate a positive learning environment that will welcome all of the community.
Firefighter Ted Debs has been severing the communities of #Los Angeles for the past 23 Years. Firefighter Debs’ assignments have spanned from Downtown Los Angeles as a member of Urban Search and Rescue Task Force 3 to the community of Porter Ranch, Los Angeles. Not only does Ted bring experience as an LAFD Firefighter, he also brings the experience as a Los Angeles Police Officer. Ted has over 20 years as a full-time officer and as a reserve officer with the LAPD. Married for 16 years, Ted has 3 girls and 1 boy and spends his off-duty time as their softball and baseball coach. “It is my honor to be here and I am excited for a future in CERT!” – Ted Debs
The LAFDCERT Unit is excited for Firefighter Santa Maria and Firefighter Debs to join our team. They will be a tremendous asset to CERT and our mission in preparing Angelenos in becoming LAFD Disaster Ready.
