I AM SACRAMENTO FIRE - CAPTAIN RICHARD ALAMO

“I didn’t grow up with a family. So, to me, I feel like the Sacramento Fire Department adopted me,” said Captain Richard Alamo.

Alamo started his career with the Sacramento Fire Department in 1999.

Born in East Los Angeles, he was raised by his grandmother. At times, the two experienced homelessness.

“We had to be out on the streets and stay with different friends,” Alamo said.

At the age of 14, his beloved grandmother passed away. He was out on the streets, alone, without a plan or path. Short of credits to graduate high school, Alamo was referred to a Fire Technology Program that would help him get his diploma. He was hooked and started dreaming of a career in the fire service. After high school, he headed to Sierra College and soon after he joined the fire academy.

At the age of 22, he landed his dream job with Sacramento Fire.

The combination of traumatic calls on top of a difficult childhood started to take a toll on the young firefighter.

“I didn't know how to deal with that. I got to the point where I was consuming 30 beers a day, trying to self-medicate,” Alamo said.

Through the department's peer support program, Alamo started the healing process. This year, he is celebrating 11 yeas of sobriety.

In addition, Alamo has completed ten IRONMAN Triathlons and is currently working towards his goal of competing in Hawaii.

On this episode of #IAMSACRAMENTOFIRE meet Captain Richard Alamo.