Administration
Fire Chief Joel Mendoza
Fire Chief Joel Mendoza is responsible for the Fire Prevention Division of the North County Fire District; which encompasses the communities of Pajaro, Las Lomas, Royal Oaks, Moss Landing, Prunedale, and Castroville. Chief Mendoza leads an office that provides oversight and implementation of all regulatory inspection and planning programs, public education and special events for the fire district and provides emergency response to major incidents, including large fires, Mass Casualty incidents and Haz-Mat related incidents.
Chief Mendoza entered the fire service in 1995, when he joined the Watsonville Fire Department as a paid call firefighter. In 1998 Chief Mendoza was hired by the North County Fire District as a paid call firefighter. He promoted to full time firefighter in 2001 and subsequently Fire Lieutenant in 2007 and Captain in 2009. He served as the districts Weed Abatement Officer from 2007 to 2017.
Chief Mendoza holds an associate’s degree in Fire Science and he is also certified as a Fire Officer and Chief Officer by the State Board of Fire Services.
Division Chief Rick Parker Maintenance & Administration
Division Chief Rick Parker is responsible for Administration and Maintenance Divisions. Chief Parker helps plan, supervise, and coordinate Recruitment and Hiring. Provides management and oversight of Facilities, Apparatus Maintenance and Specification, Communications, Cost Recovery, Information Technology Programs, Medical Clearances and is the Districts Return-to-Work Coordinator. In addition, Chief Parker oversees the Fire Districts Grant Management and assures the Districts administration is consistent with all state laws, regulations, policies and procedures.
Chief Parker started his fire service career in 1994 as a Reserve Firefighter with North County Fire District. In 1996 he accepted a fulltime Firefighter position with the NSA Fire Department (currently known as POM Fire) while there promoted to the position of Apparatus Engineer in 1998. In 2000 Chief Parker promoted to a career Firefighter with the North County Fire District. During his time with North County Fire, he has promoted to the position of Lieutenant 2007, Captain 2008, and Division Chief in 2019. Chief Parker has also served as a Monterey County US&R Member and a Haz-Mat Technician on a Monterey County Hazardous Materials Team. Chief Parker is versed in building construction and holds a State of California Contractors License. He holds many certifications through the State Fire Marshal Office including Fire Officer and has completed his State Chief Officer curriculum.
Chief Parker resides locally in Prunedale with his wife and three children. His hobbies include fishing, camping and spending time outdoors with his family.
Division Chief Jess Mendoza Training & Operations
Division Chief Jess Mendoza is responsible for the Training and Operations Division of the North County Fire District, D/C. Mendoza manages and coordinates department training to meet all local and state mandates for all full-time personnel and Reserve Firefighters. D/C Mendoza serves as the district’s Terrorism Liaison Officer manages and oversees Safety, Emergency Medical Services, Uniforms, PPE, SCBA, Auto Extrication, Monterey County USAR Team Liaison and Reserve Firefighter Program Coordinator.
D/C Mendoza grew up in the North Monterey County area and resides in Prunedale, he attended Hall District Elementary and Pajaro Middle School. He’s a graduate of Watsonville High and he studied fire service management at Cabrillo College and Monterey Peninsula College.
D/C Mendoza started his career as a Reserve Firefighter at North County Fire District in December of 1999. He was hired as a full-time firefighter in 2001. In 2008 he was promoted to Lieutenant and in 2014 He was promoted to the rank of Captain. D/C Mendoza was appointed to Division Chief in November of 2018.
Growing up in the area he serves has given him a good understanding of the emergency service needs of the community and the ongoing challenges of being a small fire district in an unincorporated area in Monterey County.
Division Chief Jess Cortez Fire Prevention & Fire Marshal
Division Chief Jess Cortez is responsible for the North County Fire District Fire Prevention Division, which encompasses Pajaro, Las Lomas, Royal Oaks, Moss Landing, Prunedale, and Castroville. Division Chief Cortez oversees and implements regulatory inspection and planning programs, public education, and special events for the fire district and provides emergency response to major incidents, including large fires, Mass Casualty incidents, and Haz-Mat-related incidents.
Division Chief Cortez joined the North County Fire Department reserve paid-call firefighter in 1998 and was hired as a full-time firefighter in 2002. Throughout his career, he has advanced to the ranks of Lieutenant and Captain, and in 2023, he was promoted to Division Chief/Fire Marshal. He served as the district's Weed Abatement Officer from 2020 to 2023. Division Chief Cortez is a North County Fire Protection District resident with a strong passion for community service.
Administrative Officer Carolina Bravo-Salas
Carolina Bravo-Salas joined the North County Fire Protection District in April of 2013 and is responsible for the district’s administrative services including finance, payroll, human resources, employee benefits, and serves as the clerk to the board. Carolina holds a B.S. in Business Administration from San Jose State University and a M.S. in Human Resource Management from Golden Gate University.