The County of Los Angeles Fire Museum Association is led by seven directors who are elected by the membership to serve two-year terms. Four of the seven directors also serve as officers: President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer.

Current directors and officers are:

President: Paul Schneider
paulschneider@clafma.org

Captain Paul Schneider has been a member of the Los Angeles County Fire Department since 1988. In his first ten years, Paul served on an engine company, a truck company, and six years as a paramedic. In 1999 he was promoted to engineer and the following year to Fire Captain. He is assigned to Station 10 in Carson. He has been active with the museum since 1989, serving as a battalion director, the equipment director, and from 1995 to 2002 as President. Paul is a third-generation Los Angeles County firefighter and the tenth member of his family to choose a fire service career. His family history and his love of the fire service are the driving forces behind his dedication to the museum.

Vice President: Joe Woyjeck
joewoyjeck@clafma.org

Fire Captain Joe Woyjeck has been with the County of Los Angeles Fire Department for over 26 years. During his career with the fire department he has held the rank of Fire Suppression Aid, Firefighter, Engineer and Fire Captain. He has been on the CATF-2 (FEMA) team and has received the medal of valor from the city of Lakewood twice and a Bravo award from the City of Bellflower. He holds numerous certifications and has specialized training including but not limited to, Haz-mat, swift water rescue, confined space rescue, air operations, and paramedic (a certification he has held for 20 years).

He has held the position of Vice-president and is completing his second term as President of the County of Los Angeles Fire Museum, he also sits on the board of “Pathways” (a non-profit hospice), coaches kids baseball, and donates time to speak at Orangewood Children’s Home.

He enjoys golf and building “anything.”

He is married to Anna, has three busy children.

Treasurer: Ken Jury
kenjury@clafma.org

Ken Jury joined the Los Angeles County Fire Department in 1969 as a Fire Control Laborer at Camp 2. Later he was assigned as a Tractor Swamper in the Department’s Construction Division. In 1973 he was hired as a firefighter and completed the Fire Academy. During his career he served as a firefighter, fire patrolman and fire dispatcher. He retired due to a service-connected disability in 1993. Ken has served as Treasurer of the Museum Association since 1981. In addition, he served as Commander of his American Legion post for three years. A long-time member of Pasadena Elks Lodge No. 672, Ken was installed as Exalted Ruler in 2000.

Secretary: Paul Oyler
pauloyler@clafma.org

Paul Oyler has been with the Los Angeles County Fire Department since 1985. For ten years he served as a firefighter and paramedic, followed by 2-1/2 years as an engineer. Currently, Paul is a Fire Captain, stationed in El Monte. An active member of the Museum Association since joining the Department, Paul has served as a battalion director, vice president, and currently as the Secretary. “As a member of CLAFMA I’ve had the opportunity to meet some great people and have some wonderful experiences,” he reports. “We are steadily moving forward and I look forward to achieving our goals in the future.”

Director: David Boucher
davidboucher@clafma.org

After serving two years with the U.S. Forest Service and six years with the Pasadena Fire Department, Dave Boucher enjoyed a 31-year career as a firefighter and Fire Captain with the Los Angeles County Fire Department. He holds two Associate in Arts degrees from Pasadena City College. Dave is the author of two books – Ride the Devil Wind (1991) and Devil Wind Fire Wagons (1995) – that chronicle the history and the vehicles of the Department. He has been the Department’s Historian since 1995. Dave joined the Museum Association in 1985 and served as a battalion director until he was elected to the Board of Directors in 1999. He is a long-time member of the Southern California Historical Society and he also produces a video series of oral histories with people who have made significant contributions to the Los Angeles County Fire Department.

Director: Nancy McFarland
nancymcfarland@clafma.org

Nancy McFarland, a 30-year veteran of the corporate world, came to the museum in 2001. As a long-time youth-organization volunteer, she had been looking for a different type of volunteer opportunity after her daughter graduated from high school, and discovered CLAFMA purely by chance. “I had no connection to the fire service,” she said, “but, the moment I walked into the South Gate warehouse as part of a private tour group, I knew the museum was something I wanted to be involved with. I called the next day and offered to help in any way I could.” Nancy volunteered her time and marketing experience to create the museum’s successful online store, Third Alarm Fire Shop. She continues to oversee its management, and uses it as a way to promote the museum and the building fund at industry-related trade shows and public events.

“Joining the museum has been one of the most personally rewarding decisions I have ever made. I am honored to be part of this amazing organization, and to have been given the opportunity to work alongside a great group of people who have dedicated themselves to CLAFMA and its goals for so many years. I encourage anyone interested in donating some time to a worthy cause to give us a call.”

Director: Gilbert Garcia
gilbertgarcia@clafma.org

Gilbert Garcia has been a member of the Los Angeles County Fire Department since September 1991, when he was hired as a civilian Fire Dispatcher. Since then he has held the position of Dispatch Training Coordinator and now Staff Assistant to the Support Services Deputy Fire Chief. In addition to his regular duties, Gilbert has also provided communications support to several wildland incidents, both in and out of LA County, including Malibu 1993 and San Diego 2003.

His background includes a bachelor’s degree from the University of Southern California and 15 years experience in EMS as a private ambulance EMT. Gilbert is also actively involved in several other volunteer organizations including the Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Relay and the LA County Firefighters Memorial Committee.

Gilbert has been a member of the Museum Association since he was hired and has been an active battalion director since 2000. During this time, Gilbert was honored to be selected to assist with Project 51 and the 2001 Tournament of Roses Parade. Despite not having a firefighting background, he does what he can to contribute to the organization.

For 2007, on the THIRD WEDNESDAY OF THE MONTH, CLAFMA board meetings will be held at 9:30am at 8635 Otis Street, South Gate, California on the following dates:

Jan 16

Feb 20

Mar 19

Apr 16

May 21

Jun 18

Jul 16

Aug 20

Sep 17

Oct 16

Nov 19

Dec 17