Department: Lubbock Fire Rescue
Name: Daniel “DJ” Salas Jr.
Rank: Lieutenant.
How long with department: 18 ½ years.
Education (high school, college/degrees):
- Petersburg High School.
- South Plains College: Associates degrees in general science and fire technology.
- East Texas A&M University: Bachelor’s degree in organizational leadership.
Personal Certification Level:
- Texas Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP).
- Master Structural Firefighter.
- TCFP Fire Officer I.
- TCFP Instructor I.
Honors/highlights: LFR’s Fire Officer of the Year 2025. It’s both an honor and highlight and I share it with the professional firefighters I’ve had the honor of working alongside throughout the years.
Why did you choose this profession? I joined the Army and was a combat field medic, that’s where I got my medical certification. I did a couple of deployments to the Middle East to Iraq. When that ended, I needed something but I didn’t know at the time what. I needed structure. Back in the day, you’d open the newspaper to look for jobs. I saw an article saing applications are being accepted for the South Plains Fire Academy. I got accepted, completed it and got hired by Lubbock. Eighteen-and-a-half years later it’s where I’m at and I learned I have a passion to lead.
How do you deal with stressful situations? I try to be as proactive as possible and that includes learning, studying and training and the other team members I work with do the same.
Hobbies & interests: I like the outdoors. I like fishing at city parks with my sons Donavan and Drew just so they can get the thrill of catching a fish. Traveling with my wife Monica and sons … my favorite place to visit is Hawaii. I have a brother-in-law who’s a soldier and stationed there on Oahu. I also like reading non-fiction books about leadership, self-discipline and military history.
Community involvement beyond work: I’m involved with my kids’ events and sports teams. My wife works for Communities In Schools and help her when she needs it anyway I can.
Quote: “Respect is more important than popularity,” General Tommy Franks.
