By Shannon Lukens.
Steamboat Springs Fire Rescue honored three of their staff with new leadership roles Monday. Fire Chief Chuck Cerasoli said, ““I couldn’t be prouder to have three long-time employees assume leadership roles with the department. Joe, Chris and Christian are ideally suited for their new roles, and I know our community will benefit from their expertise, dedication and leadership for the foreseeable future.”
Joe Oakland was promoted to Deputy Fire Chief.
Deputy Fire Chief Joe Oakland
Born and raised in Steamboat Springs, Oakland felt right at home in the Yampa Valley and wanted to serve his community from an early age. With nearly two decades of service with SSFR (Interim Deputy Fire Chief, Captain, Lieutenant, Paramedic and FF/EMT), the department’s new deputy is second in command and oversees fire suppression, fire prevention, emergency medical services, hazardous materials response, disaster preparedness, and related programs, services with outside agencies. He has been instrumental in a number of department projects: Development/Mentoring Program, Training Program, Records Management, Spillman CAD Mobile, Apparatus Design & Procurement and Mapping. He holds numerous certifications from the State of Colorado, Colorado Division of Fire Prevention & Control, National Wildfire Coordinating Group, and American Heart Association. Oakland a Bachelor of Science in Fire & Emergency Service Administration from Colorado State University as well as course studies in Criminal Justice from Metropolitan State University of Denver.
Chris Welch was promoted to Captain.
Captain Chris Welch
Welch started with SSFR in 2008 and became a paramedic in 2018. Over his time in the department, he has held the position of firefighter, engineer, paramedic, lieutenant, and most recently interim captain of c-shift since October 2024. He developed and managed the first SSFR fire academy and training regimen as well as its technical and swift water rescue operation protocols. In addition, Welch has shared his extensive knowledge with numerous federal response teams, high-level military units and firefighters across the west and internationally. When not serving the community, he competes in Baja Moto races and is a class champion. He has summited Mt. Kilimanjaro and served as a ski patroller for the Steamboat Resort for 15 years. He is a graduate of the University of Idaho with a Bachelor of Science in Business Education and holds numerous state and federal certifications.
Christian Keller was promoted to lieutenant.
Lieutenant Christian Keller
Raised in Steamboat Springs, Keller started in the fire service as a volunteer for North Routt Fire in 1997 following in the footsteps of his father who was the North Routt Fire Protection District Fire Chief at the time. After graduating the University of Wyoming with a BS in Molecular Biology and Spanish, he pursued the past time of many in Steamboat Springs, teaching skiing at Mt. Werner. In 2007, Christian became a fulltime firefighter/paramedic with the City of Grand Junction and ultimately moved home in 2011 joining Steamboat Springs Fire Rescue. Keller maintains numerous state and federal certifications taking particular interest in the response to hazardous materials. He heads up the department’s hazardous material training and is a member of Craig Hazmat team. In his free time, he follows his kids around, volunteer coaching soccer as well as Nordic Combined through the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club.
The three have more than 50 years of combined fire and emergency services experience.
Chief Cerasoli recognized the following at the Badge Pinning Ceremony:
Service Recognition:
- Nick Brookshire – 10 years
- Chris Voyvodic – 10 years
- Marnie Smith – 15 years
- Dave Hesselton – 20 years
- Paul Gilbertson – 20 years
Education Recognition:
- Kellie Wilcoxon
- Arapahoe Community College – Paramedic Certificate 2024
- Jared Kennedy
- Arapahoe Community College – Paramedic Certificate 2025
Press Release from Steamboat Springs Fire Rescue; April 10, 2025.
SSFR Names Deputy Fire Chief, Captain & Lieutenant
Oakland, Welch & Keller Promoted to New Leadership Roles
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, COLORADO-April 10, 2025-Steamboat Springs Fire Rescue has named Joe Oakland as the deputy fire chief and promoted Chris Welch to captain and Christian Keller to lieutenant, officially joining the officer ranks and leadership team.
“I couldn’t be prouder to have three long-time employees assume leadership roles with the department,” said Fire Chief Chuck Cerasoli. “Joe, Chris and Christian are ideally suited for their new roles, and I know our community will benefit from their expertise, dedication and leadership for the foreseeable future.”
With more than 50 years of combined fire and emergency services experience, Oakland, Welch and Keller are currently serving in their new roles and will be pinned with their new badges on Monday, April 14 at 9am in Citizen’s Hall in Centennial Hall (124 10th Street). During the event, the department will also recognize newly certified paramedics Kellie Wilcoxon and Jared Kennedy.
Deputy Fire Chief Joe Oakland
Born and raised in Steamboat Springs, Oakland felt right at home in the Yampa Valley and wanted to serve his community from an early age. With nearly two decades of service with SSFR (Interim Deputy Fire Chief, Captain, Lieutenant, Paramedic and FF/EMT), the department’s new deputy is second in command and oversees fire suppression, fire prevention, emergency medical services, hazardous materials response, disaster preparedness, and related programs, services with outside agencies.
He has been instrumental in a number of department projects: Development/Mentoring Program, Training Program, Records Management, Spillman CAD Mobile, Apparatus Design & Procurement and Mapping.
He holds numerous certifications from the State of Colorado, Colorado Division of Fire Prevention & Control, National Wildfire Coordinating Group, and American Heart Association. Oakland a Bachelor of Science in Fire & Emergency Service Administration from Colorado State University as well as course studies in Criminal Justice from Metropolitan State University of Denver.
Captain Chris Welch
Welch started with SSFR in 2008 and became a paramedic in 2018. Over his time in the department, he has held the position of firefighter, engineer, paramedic, lieutenant, and most recently interim captain of c-shift since October 2024.
He developed and managed the first SSFR fire academy and training regimen as well as its technical and swift water rescue operation protocols. In addition, Welch has shared his extensive knowledge with numerous federal response teams, high-level military units and firefighters across the west and internationally.
When not serving the community, he competes in Baja Moto races and is a class champion. He has summited Mt. Kilimanjaro and served as a ski patroller for the Steamboat Resort for 15 years. He is a graduate of the University of Idaho with a Bachelor of Science in Business Education and holds numerous state and federal certifications.
Lieutenant Christian Keller
Raised in Steamboat Springs, Keller started in the fire service as a volunteer for North Routt Fire in 1997 following in the footsteps of his father who was the North Routt Fire Protection District Fire Chief at the time.
After graduating the University of Wyoming with a BS in Molecular Biology and Spanish, he pursued the past time of many in Steamboat Springs, teaching skiing at Mt. Werner.
In 2007, Christian became a fulltime firefighter/paramedic with the City of Grand Junction and ultimately moved home in 2011 joining Steamboat Springs Fire Rescue.
Keller maintains numerous state and federal certifications taking particular interest in the response to hazardous materials. He heads up the department’s hazardous material training and is a member of Craig Hazmat team.
In his free time, he follows his kids around, volunteer coaching soccer as well as Nordic Combined through the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club.
Steamboat Springs Fire Rescue serves the City of Steamboat Springs and the surrounding Steamboat Springs Area Fire Protection District by reducing human suffering and property loss, protecting the environment, and promoting life safety through incident response, wildland fire and mitigation services, public education, and fire prevention programs.
The department provides emergency services within the district. Staffed by three shifts, which provide emergency coverage 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, the combined fire district is approximately 385 square miles including the 10 square miles that make up the city.
SSFR Nombra Subjefe de Bomberos, Capitán y Teniente
Oakland, Welch y Keller ascendidos a nuevos puestos de liderazgo
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, COLORADO-10 de abril de 2025-Steamboat Springs Fire Rescue ha nombrado a Joe Oakland como jefe adjunto de bomberos y promovido a Chris Welch a capitán y Christian Keller a teniente, uniéndose oficialmente a las filas de oficiales y al equipo de liderazgo.
«No podría estar más orgulloso de tener tres empleados de larga data asumir funciones de liderazgo con el departamento», dijo el jefe de bomberos Chuck Cerasoli. «Joe, Chris y Christian son ideales para sus nuevas funciones, y sé que nuestra comunidad se beneficiará de su experiencia, dedicación y liderazgo en el futuro previsible.»
Con más de 50 años de experiencia combinada en servicios de bomberos y emergencias, Oakland, Welch y Keller están desempeñando actualmente sus nuevas funciones y se les impondrán sus nuevas insignias el lunes 14 de abril a las 9 de la mañana en el Citizen’s Hall del Centennial Hall (12410th Street). Durante el evento, el departamento también reconocerá a los paramédicos recién certificados Kellie Wilcoxon y Jared Kennedy.
Jefe Adjunto de Bomberos Joe Oakland
Nacido y criado en Steamboat Springs, Oakland se sintió como en casa en el valle de Yampa y quería servir a su comunidad desde una edad temprana. Con casi dos décadas de servicio con SSFR (Jefe Adjunto Interino de Bomberos, Capitán, Teniente, Paramédico y FF/EMT), el nuevo adjunto del departamento es el segundo al mando y supervisa la extinción de incendios, prevención de incendios, servicios médicos de emergencia, respuesta a materiales peligrosos, preparación para desastres y programas relacionados, servicios con agencias externas.
Ha desempeñado un papel decisivo en varios proyectos del departamento: Desarrollo/Programa de Tutoría, Programa de Formación, Gestión de Registros, Spillman CAD Mobile, Diseño y Adquisición de Aparatos y Cartografía.
Posee numerosas certificaciones del Estado de Colorado, de la División de Prevención y Control de Incendios de Colorado, del Grupo Nacional de Coordinación de Incendios Forestales y de la Asociación Americana del Corazón. Es licenciado en Administración de Servicios de Emergencias e Incendios por la Universidad Estatal de Colorado y ha cursado estudios de Justicia Penal en la Universidad Estatal Metropolitana de Denver.
Capitán Chris Welch
Welch comenzó con SSFR en 2008 y se convirtió en paramédico en 2018. Durante su tiempo en el departamento, ha ocupado el puesto de bombero, ingeniero, paramédico, teniente y, más recientemente, capitán interino del turno c desde octubre de 2024.
Desarrolló y gestionó la primera academia de bomberos y el régimen de formación del SSFR, así como sus protocolos de operaciones técnicas y de rescate en aguas rápidas. Además, Welch ha compartido sus amplios conocimientos con numerosos equipos de respuesta federales, unidades militares de alto nivel y bomberos de todo el oeste e internacionales.
Cuando no está al servicio de la comunidad, compite en carreras de Baja Moto y es campeón de su categoría. Ha hecho cumbre en el monte Kilimanjaro y ha trabajado como patrullero de esquí en Steamboat Resort durante 15 años. Es licenciado en Ciencias Empresariales por la Universidad de Idaho y posee numerosas certificaciones estatales y federales.
Teniente Christian Keller
Criado en Steamboat Springs, Keller comenzó en el servicio de bomberos como voluntario de North Routt Fire en 1997 siguiendo los pasos de su padre, que era el Jefe de Bomberos del Distrito de Protección contra Incendios de North Routt en ese momento.
Después de graduarse de la Universidad de Wyoming con una licenciatura en Biología Molecular y Español, persiguió el tiempo pasado de muchos en Steamboat Springs, la enseñanza del esquí en Mt. Werner.
En 2007, Christian se convirtió en un bombero a tiempo completo / paramédico con la ciudad de Grand Junction y, finalmente, se trasladó a casa en 2011 uniéndose a Steamboat Springs Fire Rescue.
Keller mantiene numerosas certificaciones estatales y federales teniendo especial interés en la respuesta a materiales peligrosos. Dirige la formación en materiales peligrosos del departamento y es miembro del equipo Craig Hazmat.
En su tiempo libre, sigue a sus hijos alrededor, voluntario entrenador de fútbol, así como nórdico combinado a través de la Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club.
Steamboat Springs Fire Rescue sirve a la ciudad de Steamboat Springs y los alrededores de Steamboat Springs Area Fire Protection District mediante la reducción del sufrimiento humano y la pérdida de propiedad, la protección del medio ambiente, y la promoción de la seguridad de la vida a través de la respuesta a incidentes, incendios forestales y los servicios de mitigación, la educación pública, y programas de prevención de incendios.
El departamento proporciona servicios de emergencia dentro del distrito. Con una plantilla de tres turnos, que proporcionan cobertura de emergencia las 24 horas del día, los 365 días del año, el distrito de bomberos combinado abarca aproximadamente 385 millas cuadradas, incluidas las 10 millas cuadradas que conforman la ciudad.