12/10/2025
We are honored to introduce Firefighter Heyward Stovall, the longest-serving seasonal member of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection statewide. Heyward began his fire service career in 1988 in the North Division of the San Benito–Monterey Unit, and the 2025 fire season marked his remarkable 37th year of dedicated service.
Throughout his tenure, Heyward has embodied professionalism, humility, and commitment. Despite being the most seasoned firefighter in our ranks, his strong work ethic, positive outlook, and unwavering pursuit of excellence continue to inspire everyone around him. He has served as a steady source of guidance for generations of Firefighters, Engineers, Captains, and Battalion Chiefs. His experience and leadership have left a lasting impact on countless members of the department.
Heyward’s dedication to CAL FIRE and to the communities we serve stands as a powerful example of what it means to protect and serve with honor.
Today, Heyward is facing a significant medical challenge and is currently hospitalized, requiring ongoing dialysis. For a seasonal firefighter, a sudden and serious health crisis brings immediate and overwhelming financial strain. The inability to work, coupled with increasing medical expenses and daily living costs, has created a hardship no firefighter should endure alone.
To know Heyward is to respect him. Over more than three decades, he has been more than a colleague—he has been a mentor, a guardian, and a guiding force for those who have come through the unit boundaries of BEU. He has shared his knowledge, supported and protected new firefighters, and helped shape the careers of many who serve today, as well as those who have since retired.
Now, it is our turn to support him with the same strength, loyalty, and compassion he has shown to all of us.
🙏 Please consider donating or sharing the fundraiser link to help Heyward and his family during this difficult time. https://fundthefirst.com/campaign/aid-for-firefighter-stovall-medical-care-and-recovery-costs-xv4sln
