Joe Wood
CAL FIRE Siskiyou Unit
Yreka, CA
Joe Wood was nominated by Laura Tygielski of SLD Solutions.
Mr. Wood has dedicated his life to serving others. Since beginning his career as a first responder in 2011, he has consistently gone above and beyond the call of duty—not only in his work on the fireground, but through his commitment to training, mentorship, and strengthening the next generation of firefighters.
"Joe began his career with Cal Fire in Siskiyou County, working on an engine before joining the Heli-Attack Crew in Vina. He later accepted an opportunity to serve with the Fresno Fire Department, where he spent eight years developing his skills and leadership abilities. After his time in Fresno, Joe came to the City of Redding Fire Department, where he worked alongside my son. Eventually, Joe returned to where his heart had always been—Siskiyou County," said Tygielski.
Today, Mr. Wood serves as an Engineer with Cal Fire's Siskiyou Unit on Crew 2, a hand crew responsible for some of the most physically demanding work in the fire service: cutting and constructing fireline by hand, along with the many other responsibilities required of a wildland hand crew. When he was assigned to the hand crew, he was given the responsibility of creating Siskiyou County Cal Fire's first Alpine Rescue Team. This opportunity reflects the confidence his organization has placed in his leadership, knowledge, and ability to build something that did not previously exist.
Throughout his career, Mr. Wood has never been satisfied with simply doing his job. He has continually sought opportunities to improve and to help those around him improve.
During his time with the Fresno Fire Department, Mr. Wood earned a position on the department's Hose and Nozzle Cadre, where he helped instruct engine company operations for more than 400 personnel. At the same time, he became an instructor for Fire Nuggets, a nonprofit organization that has provided high-level firefighter training to firefighters across the country since 2000. Mr. Wood continues that commitment to education today as an instructor with the College of the Siskiyous Fire Academy, where he teaches a wide variety of subjects to aspiring firefighters.
Mr. Wood is a true brother of the fire service. His dedication goes far beyond responding to emergencies. He has devoted his career to becoming a better firefighter, developing others, and ensuring that the next generation enters the fire service prepared to meet the job's challenges.
What makes his story even more remarkable is his plan as a National Life Group Do Good Hero. If chosen as a winner, Mr. Wood has expressed his desire to donate his award to the Jeremy Stoke Foundation, a nonprofit organization born out of the Redding Fire Department family in honor of the late Jeremy Stoke, who tragically lost his life while evacuating residents during the Carr Fire in Redding in 2018. The Jeremy Stoke Foundation was initially established to provide scholarships to students pursuing careers in the fire service. Since its inception, however, the foundation has expanded its mission to support numerous other causes benefiting first responders and their communities.
In July of 2026, Mr. Wood was diagnosed with Lymphoma and has since received treatment at UCSF. He was recently discharged from UCSF and is undergoing outpatient care in the Bay Area. He still has a long road to recovery, but has been making great progress. His passion for the fire service has not waned, and he is eager to rejoin the crew once he is healthy.
The Jeremy Stoke Foundation donated $500 to Mr. Wood when he was diagnosed with cancer to help with everyday expenses while undergoing treatment. This act of empathy and compassion has inspired Mr. Wood to want to start the Siskiyou County Burn and Benevolent Fund, which would assist anyone, civilian or first responder, who is burned in a fire in Siskiyou County. That vision perfectly represents who he is.
"Joe Wood represents the very best qualities of the fire service: leadership, brotherhood, mentorship, resilience, and compassion. Recognizing Joe with this award would honor an individual who has spent his career giving to others—and who, even while fighting his own battle with cancer, continues to look for ways to help the people around him," said Tygielski. "Joe has spent his career answering the call when others needed help. Now, it is our opportunity to answer the call for Joe."
