Command Staff
Fire Chief - Erik Litzenberg
Erik Litzenberg was appointed to be the next Chief for the Los Alamos Fire Department at the beginning of 2026. Erik is the owner and lead consultant for Liderazgo Consulting, which focuses on government, leadership, and team building, and for the past five years has served as the Senior Wildland Fire Advisor for the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC). In his IAFC role, Erik served as a primary member and Vice-Chair of the National Wildfire Coordinating Group Executive Board, and as a liaison to the National Multiagency Coordinating Group at the Interagency Fire Center. Erik served the majority of his career in the City of Santa Fe Fire Department, completing his time in the City as Fire Chief and City Manager before returning to the Santa Fe County Fire Department where his career began. Through almost 30 years of service, he has also worked for New Mexico State Forestry and as part of multiple Incident Management Teams, and for many years owned Santa Fe Wildfire, which provided resources for large scale incident management and response. Litzenberg is the past chair of the IAFC Wildland Fire Policy Committee and a past principal member of the Wildland Fire Leadership Council.
Erik holds a MPA from the University of New Mexico (UNM), a MS in security studies from the Naval Postgraduate School, and a PhD in sports administration from UNM. His research focused on organizational culture and leadership, as well as physiology and performance. He lives in Santa Fe with his wife and kids and enjoys participating in triathlons as a route to maintain physical and emotional health.
erik.litzenberg@losalamosnm.gov
Deputy Fire Chief - Timothy Johnson
timothy.johnson@losalamosnm.gov
Division Chief (Wildland) - Van Leimer -
Van Leimer serves as the Wildland Division Chief for the Los Alamos Fire Department, overseeing strategic planning, resource management, and operational readiness for wildland fire response. He leads wildfire preparedness, fuels reduction, and mitigation efforts across Los Alamos County, strengthening community resilience through adaptive management and close coordination with local, state, and federal partners.
Chief Leimer also oversees Special Operations within the Wildland Division, including Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF), Technical Rope Rescue, and Hazardous Materials (HazMat). He works closely with program managers to advance training, technology, and operational capability, ensuring these teams are ready to serve Los Alamos County residents and support regional cooperators.
With 23 years in the fire service, Chief Leimer began his career on a Type II Initial Attack hand crew in Red River, New Mexico, and has served in structural, EMS, industrial, and leadership roles. His results-driven and innovative approach—particularly in fuels mitigation and emerging technologies—continues to enhance wildfire resilience and public safety throughout Los Alamos County.
van.leimer@losalamosnm.gov
Fire Marshal - Colorado Cordova - Colorado Cordova was raised in Northern New Mexico. After completing high school, he attended Adams State College in Colorado, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology. Following his graduation, Colorado worked as a Law Enforcement Park Ranger with the U.S. National Park Service and received his training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Georgia. In 2006, Colorado joined the Los Alamos Fire Department, where he advanced through the ranks to Firefighter I and II, Paramedic, Driver Engineer, and Captain. In 2025, he was promoted to Division Chief/Fire Marshal. Colorado is a certified Fire Marshal through the International Code Council and holds a Fire Inspector III certification from IFSAC. He has a daughter and two sons and currently lives with his partner.
Division Chief (Safety) - Todd Forsythe grew up in southern California. After graduating from Arrowhead Christian Academy he studied business at Cal State University, San Bernardino. After working as a manager for Big 5 Sporting Goods he decided to pursue a career in fire and put himself through California State Fire Academy. He was hired on with the USFS and was a wildland firefighter for six seasons in the San Bernardino National Forest. After not being able to secure permanent employment with the forest service he moved to Havasu City, Arizona where he was a manufacturing manager for Sterilite for five years. In 2000 he took a position with Intel, where he worked as a Team Leader while also earning his Associate’s degree in Engineering. Todd never lost the desire to be a firefighter however, and he decided to follow his true calling and was hired on by Los Alamos Fire Department in 2008.
During his 13 years with LAFD Todd has ascended to the ranks of Firefighter I and II, Driver Engineer, Captain, and Division Chief. He is also a member of the specialty Hazmat team and is an EMT-I.
Todd lives in Jemez Springs with his wife Cheryl and their two dogs. His pride and joy are his two sons, who are both attending Arizona State University; Cole is pursuing a degree in Business and Jake in Computer Science. Todd enjoys restoring vintage vehicles, off-roading, and riding his resto-mod Ford Bronco, being outdoors, and spending time with his wife.
todd.forsythe@losalamosnm.gov
Division Chief (EMS) - Manuel Pacheco - EMS Division Chief Manuel E. Pacheco is a dedicated EMS professional with 19 years of experience in fire and emergency medical services. As the EMS Division Chief for the Los Alamos Fire Department, he leads the department's emergency medical operations, prioritizing top-tier care and training for the community. Manuel’s career includes 12 years as a Captain and five of those years as the EMS Training Captain. With 14 years as a practicing Paramedic, he has developed deep expertise in emergency response and training. He serves as an Instructor Coordinator for the University of New Mexico (UNM) and is certified as an AHA Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS), and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) Instructor, ensuring that EMS personnel are exceptionally prepared for critical situations. His years of experience in a busy ambulance service provided him with invaluable hands-on expertise in high-pressure environments. He also holds certifications as a Certified Ambulance Compliance Officer and Privacy Officer, ensuring regulatory compliance and the protection of patient information. A proud husband and father, Manuel is married with three children—two sons and a daughter. His commitment to his family reflects the same dedication he brings to his profession, where he continually strives to advance the quality of emergency medical services and training for his department.
manuel.pacheco@losalamosnm.gov
Division Chief (LANL Training) - James Thwaits was born in Albuquerque, NM and moved to Los Alamos in 1985 where he lived until 1989 when he moved to Colorado. After graduating High School, James proudly served in the United States Marine Corps. He joined the Los Alamos Fire Department in 2006. James has climbed the ranks from Fire Fighter, Driver Engineer, Captain, to his current position as the Division Chief of Training. He has been part of the LAFD Technical Rescue Team, HAZMAT team, SCBA Team, Communications Team, and Bike Team. James currently has an A.A.S in Fire Science and is working on his Bachelor’s degree. James lives in White Rock with his wife, Katie, and their youngest daughter, Kailey; their oldest daughter, Kelsey, is a graduate of LAHS, UNM, and William and Mary Law, and is a licensed attorney in both New Mexico and California.
james.thwaits@losalamosnm.gov
Training Chief - Aaron McNiff - Aaron McNiff is a seasoned fire service leader with over 19 years of experience with the Los Alamos Fire Department. He has served as the Training Captain, held the role of Acting Training Chief, and currently serves as the Training Chief where he oversees department-wide training operations, program development, and compliance initiatives.
Aaron has been instrumental in developing and managing comprehensive training programs aligned with NFPA standards, ISO requirements, and interagency agreements with Los Alamos National Laboratory and Los Alamos County. His work has focused on improving organizational readiness, standardizing training delivery, implementing realistic training environments, and ensuring compliance with accreditation and regulatory standards.
Throughout his career, Aaron has demonstrated strong leadership in both operational and administrative roles. As a Fire Captain, he supervised personnel, managed station operations, and responded to emergency incidents in a command capacity. In the Training Division, he has led fire recruit academies, officer development programs, driver training, and specialized technical rescue instruction. He is also a Blue Card Incident Management Trainer and has contributed to building command-level competency across the organization.
Aaron has extensive experience in program development and interagency coordination. He played a key role in developing the department’s active shooter/violence response program, working closely with law enforcement and federal partners. He has also contributed to two CFAI accreditation cycles, supported statewide training initiatives, and helped implement systems for learning management, asset tracking, and scheduling.
In addition to his fire service role, Aaron has served as an Adjunct Professor of Fire Science at the University of New Mexico–Los Alamos, supporting the development of future fire service professionals. He holds an Associate of Applied Science in Fire Science and maintains numerous certifications in incident command, technical rescue, fire service instruction, and emergency response disciplines.
Aaron is committed to leadership, accountability, and continuous improvement, with a focus on developing personnel, strengthening organizational performance, and advancing the fire service profession. He is grateful for the continued support of his wife, Anita, and their two daughters, Elianna and Elisabeth. He is also proud to serve alongside his brother, Ryan, as a member of the Los Alamos Fire Department, and credits his parents, Peter and Ruth, for their lifelong support and influence.
Aaron.Mcniff@losalamosnm.gov
Battalion Chief - Jeffrey Marshal Saiz was born in Colorado Springs, Colorado; raised in Pojoaque, New Mexico and now resides in Santa Fe. Jeff graduated from Pojoaque High School in 1993 and studied Biology at the Colorado University at Boulder. He graduated from the University of New Mexico with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Chemistry in 2003. Jeff worked as a Game Warden for the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish for 3 years. In 2005, after he experienced a fire in his home, Jeff decided to pursue a career in professional firefighting and joined the Los Alamos Fire Department in January 2006. He has achieved the ranks of Firefighter I & II, Driver Engineer, Captain and in November 2021, he was promoted to Division Chief. Jeff has served on many specialty teams and received an Associate of Applied Science degree in Fire Science and an Associates of Applied Science degree in Paramedicine while with LAFD. Jeff is married to his wife Marissa, has three sons Zachary, Zayden and Zavery and two dogs Ava and Buddy.
jeff.saiz@losalamosnm.gov
Battalion Chief - Ray Gandara began his career with the Los Alamos Fire Department in 2008. Through dedication, hard work, and a deep commitment to service, he has risen through the ranks - from Firefighter to Driver Engineer, then Captain, and now proudly serves as Battalion Chief. Throughout his career, Ray has been deeply involved with the department's Specialty Technical Rescue Team and has served as a Paramedic.
Ray credits his success to the unwavering support and sacrifices of his family. He is especially grateful to his parents, whose love and dedication provided a strong foundation for him and his brother. Ray's brother, a Captain with the department, has always been by his side, both personally and professionally. His loving wife has been a constant source of strength and has made countless sacrifices during his years of service. Together, they are raising two wonderful sons who are a true blessing in their lives.
ray.gandara@losalamosnm.gov
Battalion Chief - Matt Munoz
matthew.munoz@losalamosnm.gov