Cristian Reynoso - Firefighter/Paramedic

Firefighter/Paramedic (FFPM) Cristian Reynoso is the type of person who likes to leave things better than he found them – whether improving life at his station or saving lives in the field.

“We live at the station. People don’t realize we work 24-hour shifts,” he added. “We want to take pride in where we live.”  

For FFPM Reynoso, that pride also translated to his career choices. At around age 15 or 16, when he entered the workforce, Reynoso wanted to do something he could not only be proud of, but that would make a real difference for others.

His high school football coach, who also coached him in various sports throughout most of his childhood, had a huge impact on Reynoso’s journey. What he did not know at the time was that his coach was a local firefighter.  

Initially, nothing in particular stood out. He was a great coach and someone Reynoso deeply respected. Occasionally, another coach would have to take his place, but it wasn’t until later that Reynoso realized it was because his coach had been called to an incident.

As graduation neared and he began assessing his future, Reynoso knew that sports might only take him so far. The opportunity to pursue a career in firefighting became more prominent as he got older. After graduating high school in 2007, he finally told his coach about his new direction.

“He saw that I was serious, and he was willing to help me get to where I wanted to be,” FFPM Reynoso reflected.  

To make ends meet while starting his firefighting journey, Reynoso took a job at In-N-Out, where he remained for seven years. In keeping with his ethos of leaving things better than he found them, he worked tirelessly in the fast-paced environment and took every opportunity to grow. From camaraderie and leadership skills to the ability to multitask effectively, the values he gleaned from his time at In-N-Out directly influenced how he would eventually approach his role with the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD).

While working at In-N-Out, Reynoso completed Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) school and various fire courses, worked as an EMT, and went on to paramedic school. He also worked as an auxiliary, or part-time, firefighter to build his expertise.

“I wanted to become a better candidate,” he said of the various opportunities he pursued before becoming a full-time firefighter. He knew each department had different minimum expectations, but wanted to exceed expectations and complete as many prerequisites as possible.

When Reynoso first began applying in 2012, he was facing discouragement from all sides. The LAFD had just come off a hiring freeze, and many departments had followed suit.  

“People kept telling me not to bother, don’t go for it, it’s so hard to get hired right now,” FFPM Reynoso reflected. But he emphasized, “You have to run your own race.” Blocking out the naysayers, Reynoso maintained tunnel vision for his dream job and was finally hired by the LAFD in 2018.

FFPM Reynoso credits several mentors with his early growth on the job, one of whom was LAFD Captain Benjamin Fazeli. Captain Fazeli taught him what it meant, as a firefighter, to leave things better than they were found.  

“It doesn’t matter if you will be here to see the impact of the changes or not,” Captain Fazeli told him. “It’s about making it better for the next crew, for the next generation of firefighters.”

FFPM Reynoso has carried that mentality throughout his career, even receiving his bachelor’s degree in emergency management while working full-time.  

At his previous station, LAFD Fire Station 6, FFPM Reynoso secured support from the LAFD Foundation to make significant improvements at the station level, and is doing the same for Fire Station 17, where he now serves the Industrial Eastside community. He plans to continue that leadership and advocacy no matter which station he goes to next.  

One of the biggest differences FFPM Reynoso noticed when transitioning from auxiliary firefighting to being full-time with the LAFD is that everything has a “why.”  

“There’s a reason for everything we do,” he emphasized.  

For FFPM Reynoso, that “why” is his wife and two sons. Providing for them has shaped his approach to the job. He still has the same vigor and hustle, but his number one priority is coming home to his family.

As for his day-to-day as a firefighter, the “why” is simple - to help people.  

“It’s cliché, I know, but it’s true. People call us on their worst days, whether we think it’s their worst day or not, and it’s our job to help them,” he shared.  

Since joining the LAFD, FFPM Reynoso has learned resiliency.  

“I’ve learned not to give up,” he said.  

To firefighter hopefuls, he encourages the same. “No matter what, keep showing up, have a good attitude.”  

No two journeys are the same, he underscored; everyone has something to offer to the fire service if they are in it for the right reasons.

He encourages others to learn the culture – visit a fire station, ask questions, and show a genuine interest.

“Find a path that works for you,” he says, “but go in at 100 miles per hour.”

And, he adds, always leave things better than you find them.