The L.A. Firefighters Association recently named Captain II Jesus S. Pasos, a 29-year-veteran of the Los Angeles Fire Department, as its 2003 Firefighter of the Year. Captain Pasos is a parishioner at St. Bernardine of Siena Church in Woodland Hills, and currently an aspirant in the archdiocesan permanent diaconate program.

Captain Pasos was honored March 12 at the 37th annual Firefighter of the Year luncheon held at the Omni Hotel in Los Angeles. At the event, he was commended for his high moral character as well as his extensive record of volunteer service training rookie firefighters in Los Angeles and Ensenada, Mexico.

He was also recognized for his efforts "to better himself, his community and fire family by serving mankind with his goal to become a [permanent] deacon in the Catholic Church and a Fire Department Chaplain."