Vista Fire Department

The Saturday Platoons preparing their meals for the 2nd Annual Saturday Platoons cooking competition

Lt. Phil Katz preparing his meal for the 2nd Annual Saturday Platoons cooking competition

The Saturday Platoons preparing their meals for the 2nd Annual Saturday Platoons cooking competition

Foreman Karen Lilly of Platoon 2 presenting their meal to the cooking competition judges

Lt. Wilmer Cervantes and Foreman Mike Canil of Platoon 3 presenting their meal to the cooking competition judges

Foreman Adam Bartley of Platoon 4 presenting their meal to the cooking competition judges

Lt. Wilmer Cervantes and Foreman Mike Canil of Platoon 3 with their cooking competition meal

Lead Foreman Marc Baiocco of Platoon 1 presenting their meal to the cooking competition judges

Lt. Phil Katz of Platoon 4 with their cooking competition meal

The cooking competition judges trying out meals from the Vista Fire Department Saturday Platoons

Foreman Mike Canil of Platoon 3 presenting their meal to the cooking competition judges

Lt. Phil Katz and Foreman Adam Bartley of Platoon 4 presenting their meal to the cooking competition judges

Foreman Adam Bartley of Platoon 4 with their cooking competition meal

Foreman Karen Lilly and EMT Candidate Jasmine Lilly of Platoon 2 with their cooking competition meal

Foreman Adam Bartley of Platoon 4 presenting their meal to the cooking competition judges

The judges for our competition: Chairman Tom Lobosco, Commissioner Steve Woodstead, Associate Member Brian Smith, EMT Leslie Smith and Ex-Chief Bill Dingee

Platoon 4 celebrating winning the 2019 Saturday Platoons Cooking Competition


By Vista Fire Department
February 3, 2019

Last night the Vista Fire Department held the 2nd Annual "Saturday Platoons Cooking Competition" at the Vista Firehouse. The Vista Fire Department "Saturday Platoons Cooking Competition" had each of the four Saturday Platoons making an appetizer, main course and dessert to be judged for bragging rights throughout this year as the best cooking platoon. The judges for this year's competition were Ex-Chief Bill Dingee, Vista Fire District Chairman Tom Lobosco, Vista Fire District Commissioner Steven Woodstead, EMT Leslie Smith and Associate Member Brian Smith. After the points were tallied, this year's "Saturday Platoons Cooking Competition" was won by Platoon 4. Platoon 4 consists of Lt. Phil Katz, Foreman Adam Bartley, Foreman Dan Castelhano, Mutual Responder Dave Jacobsen, Firefighter Mark Albert, Firefighter/EMT Candidate Olivia Buzzeo, Firefighter Jake Melcher, Firefighter/EMT Sean Kaplan, EMT Mark Sfreddo and Probationary Firefighter/EMT Candidate Jacob Agona with Lt. Katz & Foreman Bartley representing Platoon 4 during the competition. The "Saturday Platoon Program" started in 2015 and currently has 40+ members spread out over four platoons on shift one Saturday each month to cover the Vista Fire District during a 12-hour span. Each Platoon is led by Officers and Foremen where our members cover the Vista Fire District starting at 1900hrs on Saturday evening until 0700hrs on Sunday morning. We would like to thank all the Platoons for taking part in this year's competition and the constant dedication they show by participating in this program and to our judges for making the time to help judge the competition!