Eloy Vega has served communities as a first responder for more than 23 years. He is the fire chief and emergency management coordinator for Port Neches, TX. Vega’s career began with the Laredo, TX, Fire Department in 1999 in various capacities before ultimately serving as fire suppression district chief, fire training district chief, fire prevention and arson district chief, and fire district chief. While assigned to the Fire Administration Division, Vega was the special projects coordinator, strategic planner and public information officer (PIO). He earned a master’s degree in public administration from Sam Houston State University and is pursuing a Ph.D. at Oklahoma State University in fire and emergency management administration. Vega also earned a Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences from Texas A&M International University and an Associate of Science from Kilgore College. He also holds Master Certifications from the Texas Commission on Fire Protection to include Fire Officer IV, Hazardous Materials Incident Commander, Hazardous Materials Technician, Head of Suppression, Master Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting Master Fire Fighter, Master Arson Investigator, Master Fire Inspector and Master Fire Investigator and as well as a Peace Officer License from the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement.