SAN ANTONIO — Just a week after former San Antonio Fire Chief Charles Hood was forced out of the department for making "vulgar, demeaning" comments about woman, San Antonio City Manager Erik Walsh appoints the city's interim Fire Chief and Deputy Fire Chief.
On Thursday, Walsh announced the appointment of Christopher (Chris) Monestier as Interim Fire Chief and Valerie Frausto as Interim Deputy Fire Chief.
“I know Chris well and he is a strong leader who is well respected within and outside the Department,” said City Manager Erik Walsh. “I have full confidence in Chris leading the Fire Department as they continue the excellent job they do in providing critical life-saving services to San Antonio. Chris and Valerie, along with the Fire Department Command Staff, will provide excellent leadership to the department. Each of them is fully dedicated to leading the SAFD and the critical services we provide each day. They are a completely capable team with many years of experience.”
Monestier has served the community for the past 30 years with SAFD and was appointed Deputy Fire Chief back in Feb. 2020. He has also served as a Division Chief, Assistant Chief and Fire Marshal.
San Antonio native Frausto is the current Fire Marshal for the city and has been apart of SAFD for the last 23 years.
The announcement for the permanent Fire Chief position is expected to be posted in the city's website by the end of February, according to the City of San Antonio Communications and Engagement Department.