Vista Fire Department

Foreman Dan Castelhano of Platoon 4 preparing his meal for the 4th Annual Saturday Platoons cooking competition

Foreman Brian Sferra of Platoon 2 preparing his meal for the 4th Annual Saturday Platoons cooking competition

Lieutenant Marc Baiocco of Platoon 1 preparing his meal for the 4th Annual Saturday Platoons cooking competition

1st Assistant Chief Mike Peck of Platoon 1 presenting their meal to the cooking competition judges

Captain Wilmer Cervantes of Platoon 3 presenting their meal to the cooking competition judges

Captain Phil Katz of Platoon 4 presenting their meal to the cooking competition judges

Foreman Brian Sferra of Platoon 2 presenting their meal to the cooking competition judges

Platoon 1 consisting of EMT Candidate Judith Le Gall, EMT Debbie Ferman and Lieutenant Marc Baiocco

Platoon 3 consisting of Firefighter Lance Phillips, Captain Wilmer Cervantes, Firefighter/EMT Emily Storm and Junior Firefighter Cervantes

Platoon 4 consisting of Captain Phil Katz, EMT Isabel Fry and Foreman Dan Castelhano

The judges for the 4th Annual Saturday Platoons cooking competition

Foreman Brian Sferra of Platoon 2 celebrating winning the 2021 Saturday Platoons Cooking Competition


By Vista Fire Department
June 13, 2021

Last night the Vista Fire Department held the 4th 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 Firefighter Ron Egloff, Ex-Chief Jim Hackett, Firefighter Robert Woodstead, Associate Member Brian Smith and EMT Leslie Smith. After the points were tallied, this year's "Saturday Platoons Cooking Competition" was won by Platoon 2. Platoon 2 consists of 2nd Assistant Chief Brian Porco, Foreman Elly Hersam, Foreman Brian Sferra, Firefighter Martin Rojas, Firefighter Kyla Whalen, Firefighter Patrick Blasco and Firefighter/EMT Candidate Peter Sloan. The "Saturday Platoons 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.