Fire Chief and Command Staff

Jacob Black
Fire Chief - Operations
505-992-3083
jblack@santafecountynm.gov

Chief Black began his career in the fire service in 2003 as a volunteer for the Santa Fe County Fire Department. During his time as a volunteer, he served as the EMS Captain for the Agua Fria District and was hired to work as a regional staff member as needed in 2006. In 2011, Assistant Chief Black moved into a full time position with the department. He completed the paramedic program at Santa Fe Community College in 2013. He also earned his Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from the University of New Mexico and his Associates in Paramedicine from Santa Fe Community College.

Jeffrey Carroll
Deputy Chief - Operations
505-992-3078
jcarroll@santafecountynm.gov

Deputy Chief Carroll began his career with Santa Fe County Fire Department as a volunteer with the Madrid Volunteer Fire District, after relocating to NM from Wisconsin in 2005. During this time, he discovered that he enjoyed the challenges and sense of accomplishment that came with being part of the Fire Department and its role in the community. He applied for the County Fire Academy in 2007 and graduated as class valedictorian. He rapidly gained his EMT-Intermediate license, and promoted to Lieutenant in 2010. He earned his Paramedic license in 2012, and also has certifications in Wildland Urban Interface operations and Swift water Rescue. DC Carroll earned his Bachelor's degree in Political Science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1990.

Bobby Montoya
Assistant Chief - Operations
505-992-3079
bmontoya@santafecountynm.gov

Assistant Chief Montoya began his career with Santa Fe County Fire Department by joining the Chimayo Volunteer Fire District in 1999. While volunteering, he found his passion in serving the community in both EMS and Fire and decided to pursue this full-time.  In 2000, he completed the EMT – Intermediate program.  While maintaining his service as a Volunteer Firefighter, Asst. Chief Montoya was hired on with Presbyterian Health Services. In 2002 he was hired as a full-time/career Firefighter for Santa Fe County.  Asst. Chief Montoya attended the first Paramedic Program offered by Santa Fe Community College in 2006 and soon after was promoted through the ranks as a Firefighter, Paramedic, Lieutenant, Battalion Chief and currently Assistant Fire Chief.  Asst. Chief Montoya continues to serve as a Paramedic with Presbyterian Health Services – EMS Division part-time to maintain and advance his skills in Paramedicine.  Over the past 18 years, he has also added to his experience by training in Rescue Operations, HazMat Operations, Pediatric and Advanced Cardiac Life Support, and various other courses.

Jaome Blay
Assistant Chief - Fire Prevention- Risk Reduction
Fire Marshal
505-995-6526
jblay@santafecountynm.gov

Fire Marshal Blay began his fire career as a volunteer firefighter with Santa Fe County in 2004.  In 2006, he joined Los Alamos County Fire Department as a Firefighter/EMT and participated in their Fire Prevention and Public Education program. In 2007, he joined the City of Santa Fe Fire Department where he earned his Paramedic, Fire Inspector, and Hazardous Materials Tech certifications. Jaome became the City of Santa Fe Fire Department Deputy Fire Marshal in 2013. Fire Marshal Blay was born in Barcelona, Spain and has lived in Santa Fe County since 1993. He has a B.A. in Liberal Arts from the College of Santa Fe, and an A.A.S. in Fire Protection Technology  and A.S. in Emergency Medical Services  from ENMU Roswell.  Mr. Blay holds ICC certifications in fire inspection and fire plans review, and he is ICC Fire Code Specialist and Fire Marshal certified.

Robert Gabaldon
Battalion Chief - A Shift 
505-992-3088
rgabaldon@santafecountynm.gov

Battalion Chief Robert Gabaldon's Bio coming soon.  

Ramon Vilorio
Battalion Chief - B Shift 
505-992-3088
rvilorio@santafecountynm.gov

Battalion Chief Ramon Vilorio began his public safety career in 2003. Ramon became a paramedic in 2005. He has worked as a Medic and as an EMS Manager in a variety of systems in urban, suburban and rural communities. Ramon performed as a volunteer firefighter for a short period of time before joining the Santa Fe County Fire Department.  After joining the SFCFD in 2009, Ramon was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in 2013 and then Battalion Chief in 2020. During the course of his career, he has earned an Associates in Emergency Medicine, obtained a Critical Care Paramedic certification, achieved various IFSAC fire certifications and has graduated from the A. Michael Mullane Political Training Academy.

Will Graves
Battalion Chief - C Shift 
505-992-3088
wgraves@santafecountynm.gov

Battalion Chief Will Graves decided to make Santa Fe his home after separating from the US Navy in 1994. He spent several years in the outdoor industry rafting, skiing and mountain biking before he joined Santa Fe County as a Firefighter and EMT in 2008. He was promoted to Lieutenant in 2012 and briefly served in the Training Division before becoming a Battalion Chief in 2023. Will has a Bachelor of Science in Geography from the University of New Mexico and AA and AAS from the Santa Fe Community College.

Sal Caputo
Battalion Chief - Operations & District Liaison
scaputo@santafecountynm.gov 

Chief Caputo Joined Santa Fe County in 2009 as a Firefighter and EMT. He transitioned through the levels of EMS licensure completing his Paramedic program in 2015 from the UNM/AFR Paramedic Program. Over the years he has served as a Paramedic in all four regions of Santa Fe County. Through his years of service, he started his early fire career volunteering in Sandoval County, is an Adjunct Instructor for the local EMS program, and has served a term as secretary for Santa Fe County Firefighters Association IAFF 4366. He currently resides as the head of the Health and Safety committee of the local IAFF 4366. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time being active with his three children.

Nestor Garcia
Battalion Chief - Training, EMS, Recruitment & Retention
505-780-1178
ngarcia@santafecountynm.gov 

Chief Nestor Garcia joined Santa Fe County in 2008 as a Wildland Interface Specialist. In 2010 he transitioned into the structural operations side as a Firefighter. He completed his paramedic program in 2015 from the UNM/AFR Paramedic Program. In 2017 he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant where he served both the Western and Eastern Regions. He brings years of experience in Wildland, Structural Firefighting and EMS. In early 2020 he was promoted to Training Captain, and to the rank of Battalion Chief in May 2022. Along with serving Santa Fe County, Chief Garcia has also worked or volunteered for Espanola Ambulance, the U.S. Forest Service, and the Village of Tijeras adding to his work experience. He has served as Vice President and Labor Management Coordinator for Santa Fe County Firefighters Association IAFF 4366 and Vice President for the East Mountain Interagency Fire Protection Association (EMIFPA). In his time off he enjoys spending time with his wife and two young daughters.

Daniel Meyer
EMS Captain
dmeyer@santafecountynm.gov 

Daniel Meyer Joined Santa Fe County Fire Department in 2007 as Fire Cadet. Captain Meyer found his way into the fire service through his attraction for medicine and prehospital emergency care. Daniel attended paramedic school in 2010, became a Station lieutenant in 2018, and EMS Captain in 2022. Daniel’s focus is on community risk reduction, and serving the community, ensuring that the constituents of Santa Fe County are receiving excellent EMS care. Daniel is also the Chairman of Northern Regional Trauma Advisory Council, and is focused on leading EMS into the future alongside community partners.

Jeremiah Sandoval
A-Shift Captain
jsandoval@santafecountynm.gov 

Captain Sandoval's bio coming soon.

Kyle Gregory
B-Shift Captain
kgregory@santafecountynm.gov 

Captain Gregory's bio coming soon.

William Van Herpe
C-Shift Captain
wvanherpe@santafecountynm.gov  

Captain Van Herpe began his career in the fire service as a volunteer firefighter with the Hondo Fire District in 2009. In 2011 Billy was hired as a full-time/career Firefighter for Santa Fe County where he worked in the Northern Region for one year before transferring to the Eastern Region of the County where his love for the fire service all began. Captain Van Herpe completed his paramedic program in 2019 from the UNM/AFR Paramedic Program. Billy was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant, quickly followed by the rank of Captain in 2023 where he now serves as a training captain.  Captain Van Herpe holds various IFSAC fire certifications including swift water rescue.

Mike Feulner
Wildland Captain
505-995-6527
mfeulner@santafecountynm.gov

Captain Feulner started with the County in 2006 as a member of the Edgewood Volunteer Fire District as a structural and wildland firefighter. Although he was not an EMT he assisted medical personnel on all medical calls. Captain Feulner served as the EVFD Assistant Chief from January 2011 until June 2012. In 2010, he was hired by the County as a Fire Prevention- Urban Interface Specialist. In 2012 he was hired as the Wildland Division Captain. Captain Feulner is a certified Engine boss, A faller, ICT 4, and teaches wildland classes and refreshers both for the County and outside agencies.