Meet the Chief
Hello and welcome to the West Valley Volunteer Fire Department website.
As you may already know, this is a 100% Volunteer Fire Department. In fact, all the Fire Departments in El Paso County are 100% Volunteer. They include Clint, Fabens, Horizon, Montana Vista, San Elizario, and Socorro.
The question that comes up all the time is: Why? Why do you have a regular job, have a family, a social life, and then, on a moment's notice, respond to emergency calls as a firefighter? Well, the answer to that question is simple: Heart. The members have big hearts and a burning desire to contribute back to this community.
Our members have varied backgrounds. They range from tow-truck drivers, locksmiths, engineers, project managers, Detention Officers, automotive technicians, security guards, welders, City of El Paso Firefighters, fire protection engineers, and countless other occupations. When you get all of these individuals together, the possibilities are endless.
A little about me ... I became a City of El Paso Firefighter in January 1994, and now work as a Fire Suppression Technician (which is a fancy title for Driver/Engineer). During my career, I served on the Water Rescue Team, Comsar Team, Haz Mat Team, and Texas Task Force 1. I have a college degree in Fire Technology, and hold numerous Certifications.
I moved out of the county in 1995 and discovered that a volunteer fire department protected my home. With this in mind, I asked the Chief of the "Canutillo Volunteer Fire Department" if I could lend a hand and join. He agreed, and I've been with both Departments ever since. I was elected Chief of Department for the West Valley Volunteer Fire Department" in 2000.
I am very proud to be associated with both Fire Departments, and all of the fine folks that comprise them.
I would encourage anyone to come out and join your local Volunteer Fire Department. It is a very rewarding experience.
If you have any questions about our Department, please don't hesitate to send me an email at
Assistant Chief, 'Training/Support' Boyd Smith
Assistant Chief Boyd Smith oversees the areas of training and education, certifications, and Public Fire Education for the West Valley Fire Department. He has been in the Fire Service since 1986. Originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, he joined the West Valley Fire Department in 2001 after a brief (20-year) stop in New Mexico while serving as a member of the United States Air Force.
His certifications include Fire Officer II, Level III Master Instructor, Master Firefighter, Driver/Operator-Pumper, Master Fire Inspector and Fire and Life Safety Educator II from the Texas Commission on Fire Protection; Master Firefighter and Level Il Instructor from the State Firemen's and Fire Marshal's Association; and Fire Officer II from the New Mexico State Firefighters Training Academy, where he also serves as a member of the Adjunct Faculty.
Chief Smith holds Associate of Applied Science degrees in Fire Science (New Mexico State University) and Instructional Methodology (Community College of the Air Force).
Assistant Chief 'Operations' Manny Maldonado
My name is Manuel Maldonado. I have served in the West Valley Fire Department since 2008. The number one goal for my team and I is to provide the best service to our community, to help mitigate any emergency, and to lend our assistance to anyone or any neighboring agency where we can. This goal is achieved through every member's sense of urgency, proactive thinking, teamwork, and safety-conscious approach in all aspects of our duties. As Assistant Chief of Operations, I oversee the processes that ensure the operational readiness of equipment. I also oversee processes that ensure the preparedness and support of our firefighters by promoting continuous training, accountability, physical fitness, and open lines of communication throughout the leadership chain. We're only as strong as our weakest link.
I graduated from the El Paso Fire Department training academy in 2008 and have used training and experiences from both departments to make my assigned crews and I safer and stronger. I graduated from El Paso Community College with an Associates in Fire Science in 2018. I hold certifications in Instructor II, Fire Officer II, and Airport Firefighting. My personal goals are simple: learn, train, motivate, and develop. When you join our team, you'll learn how much more you're capable of.
I look forward to working with you in the future.
Captain, 'Vinton District' Steven Wherrey
My name is Steve Wherrey, I'm currently in the capacity of Captain and Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT) with the West Valley Fire Department. I have been in the medical field for 30 years. I obtained my EMT while serving in the military.
Since then, I have worked in surgery and have been a part of many emergency response organizations.
In 2009, I decided to give the fire service a try and joined the WVFD. I am the Medical Captain, tasked with managing the members' annual physicals and immunizations. I also serve as the Medical Training Officer, instructing members in CPR and prehospital emergency procedures in order to gain continuing education to maintain state and national certifications. When I'm not serving the community, I work in the field of Women's Health, consulting physicians on surgical procedures and implant sales.
Captain, 'Anthony District' Ernesto Munoz
My name is Ernie Munoz, and I grew up in Canutillo Texas. Up until I was nineteen, I did not know my neighborhood was protected by volunteer firefighters. I began my volunteer career with the West Valley Fire Department in May 2010. Since then, I fell in love with the fire service and decided to make it a career. I joined the El Paso Fire Department in December 2014.
My current duties include overseeing firefighters assigned to the Anthony station, PPE, uniforms, the peer support program, awards and recognition, and coordinating with the MDA for the yearly boot drive. It's an honor to serve the community that saw me grow up.