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Battalion Chiefs

May contain: helmet, person, and fireman

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Battalion Chief Aaron Watkins:

A smiling person in firefighter uniform in front of a fire engine.
Chief Watkins

Aaron Watkins started his fire service career in 2003 as a Volunteer Firefighter with Sutter Creek Fire Protection District and served as a Volunteer for a decade after promoting to the rank of Fire Captain.  His first career fire department was CAL FIRE (at that time, California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection) which he started in 2005. 

Battalion Chief Watkins became a member of Amador Fire Protection District in 2011. He has served Amador Fire in the ranks of Firefighter, Engineer, Fire Captain and Battalion Captain. In 2016 he was promoted to the rank of Battalion Chief. In addition to his duties as a Shift Battalion Chief, Chief Watkins serves as the District's Training Officer. 

Chief Watkins has several Technical Rescue and Overhead qualifications. He is also an Instructor for multiple Hazardous Materials, Fire and Rescue Courses.

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Battalion Chief Rob Ebling:

A smiling person in a fire department uniform in front of a fire truck.
Chief Ebling

Chief Ebling began his fire career as a part-time Firefighter with the City of Calistoga in 2006. Simultaneously, he worked for AMR Napa on a 9-1-1 EMS ambulance while attending and pursuing his Fire Technology degree through Santa Rosa College. His early opportunities led to valuable experience, knowledge, and the opportunity to be surrounded by leadership that created a solid foundation for his growth and development. He was hired as a full time Fire Engineer in 2013 with the Jackson Rancheria Fire Department, in 2015 he accepted a Fire Captain’s position with Amador Fire Protection District where he served 8 years as Captain and was promoted to the Battalion Chief rank in 2022. Chief Ebling leads Amador Fire’s Firefighter hiring process, oversees Amador Fire’s EMS program, assists with community events and is currently assigned to the daily operations on “B” shift. Chief Ebling is driven by the endless possibilities Amador Fire has to offer and the community support the district receives while serving the needs of Amador County. Chief Ebling credits the support from the firefighter’s and administration staff as being instrumental to his success.

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Battalion Chief Justin Yelinek:

A smiling person in a fire department uniform standing in front of a fire truck.
Chief Yelinek 

Chief Yelinek grew up in Plymouth and started volunteering with Amador Fire in Plymouth in 2000. Justin then moved to Pioneer and continued as a volunteer with Amador Fire in the Pine Grove / Pioneer area. Chief Yelinek started his full-time career with Jackson Rancheria Fire Department in 2007 and was employed with the Jackson Rancheria Fire Department until 2015 when he left to work for Amador Fire Protection District full-time. Chief Yelinek is a confined space rescue technician, swift water rescue technician, and a California state instructor in various courses. Chief Yelinek resides in Jackson CA with his wife and three kids, who are all very active in the community. Chief Yelinek enjoys spending time with his family, coaching his kids in various sports and just watching them grow up. Chief Yelinek spends his time during the summer months going out on Strike teams throughout California. Justin has been with Amador Fire Protection District for 23 years as both Volunteer and Paid. Justin is currently assigned to C-Shift as a Battalion Chief.