About AFF

SADIE ALBERS, Secretary

Jan. 2021 - 2022, 2024 - current
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My name is Sadie Albers and my Fiancé, John Strickland III, has been with the department since 2015. Over the last decade, we have had to deal with every single strike team, medic school, mandatory overtime, training, and curveballs that the fire-life can throw at you! Although never easy, dealing with this lifestyle has brought our family the opportunity to bond with the entire Anaheim Fire Department and their families! I am a strong believer of community and leaning on your friends and family (especially our fire family) when things get tough – which is what prompted my interest in joining the AFF Board! I’m hoping to support the organization and families in any way I can. Prior to being a mom, I worked as the Public Information Office for the San Bernardino Police Department, City of San Bernardino, Palm Springs Police Department, and the State of California in the Department of Transportation. I quickly found my passion as a crisis communicator and community leader through the unique opportunities each agency provided. I hold a bachelor’s degree in communications, with an emphasis in public relations, a master’s degree in business administration (MBA) with two graduate certificates in public administration and organizational leadership. John and I currently live in our hometown of Wrightwood, CA where I serve as a local elected official and current president. We are kept busy with our two-year-old son "J4", two dogs, Carl and Dino -- and are anxiously awaiting another baby boy expected June 2024. In our free time as a family, we love exploring the local mountain ranges with our dogs, camping with friends and family, and going on annual trips to Lake Powell and Lake Havasu with our fire family!

ELLEN GONZALEZ, Family & Child Resource Director

Jan. 2024 - current
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Hi, my name is Ellen Gonzalez and I am married to Julian Gonzalez who has been with Anaheim fire since 2017.  We live in Huntington Beach and have 2 children Adelaide (9) and Dolan (7).  They keep us busy with various activities like swimming, baseball, flag football, Jr. lifeguards and are looking to start water polo soon.  My husband is Bilingual and our children attend a Spanish immersion school.I have worked full time for UCI Health in Orange for 12 years and was lucky enough to get a part time position there doing the same job. I am a Physical therapist and I work in the out patient burn and wound clinic.  I am also a Certified Wound Specialist.  It is unique that I work with burn patients, we do treat many firefighters and often my patients are surprised and relieved when I share that my husband is a firefighter.  In our free time we love to travel, hang with friends and family, cook, eat, and since working part time, I really enjoy sushi lunch dates with my husband when he is home.  I am so grateful to be a part of the Anaheim Fire Family.  I am very excited to start this new adventure with them and I am looking forward to helping serve and support all our fire families.

HEIDI GILIA, Assistant Director

Jan. 2023 - current
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My name is Heidi Gilia and I am married to Jeno Gilia who has been with the department since 2005. We have two daughters Zella (8) and Rayze (6), in addition to 4 chickens and a bunny, who thinks she's a dog. We are currently in search of a puppy to add to our family. I was lucky enough to be a stay at home mom until the 2022 school year when I went back as a substitute teacher in Huntington Beach. The same year I became Rayze’s girl scout troop leader and involved with the Parent Teachers Organization(PTO/PTA) at our school. When I am not teaching, I’m volunteering in the girls’ classes. Both our girls love soccer and I was able to coach both of their teams. We are big football fans and die hard Chiefs fans, so now the girls are also starting up Flag Football. We love to travel as a family and with many of our friends. I am very excited to start this new adventure with the Anaheim Fire Family and be able to meet some new people. Many of my closest friends have come from this community and am excited to help others as well as myself continue to create these tight community/family bonds.