City Manager Erik Walsh Appoints Interim Fire Chief and Interim Deputy

Published on January 11, 2024

SAN ANTONIO (January 11, 2024) – Today, San Antonio City Manager Erik Walsh announced the appointment of Christopher (Chris) Monestier to Interim Fire Chief and Valerie Frausto to Interim Deputy Fire Chief over Administrative Services. The appointments are effective Friday, January 12, 2024. 

“I know Chris well and he is a strong leader who is well respected within and outside the Department,” said City Manager Erik Walsh. “I have full confidence in Chris leading the Fire Department as they continue the excellent job they do in providing critical life-saving services to San Antonio. Chris and Valerie, along with the Fire Department Command Staff, will provide excellent leadership to the department. Each of them is fully dedicated to leading the SAFD and the critical services we provide each day. They are a completely capable team with many years of experience.”

Interim Chief Monestier has served the San Antonio community within the San Antonio Fire Department (SAFD) for more than 30 years. He brings a wide range of experience to this position. He was appointed Deputy Fire Chief, overseeing administrative services, since February of 2020. His tenure at the SAFD also includes serving as a Division Chief, Assistant Chief and Fire Marshal. 

Monestier is a San Antonio native who graduated from Thomas Edison High School and holds a BBA in Management from the University of Texas at San Antonio. He and his wife Miriam have been married for 27 years and they have two sons, one serving in the United States Marine Corps. 

Frausto has served as a member of the SAFD for 23 years in several capacities including Chief of Communications, Assistant Chief over Employee Wellness and Recruitment. She is currently the City’s Fire Marshal. She is a native of San Antonio. She graduated from Incarnate Word High School and has a Bachelor’s in Fire Administration from Texas A&M San Antonio. She recently got married to her wife Krista.

The permanent Fire Chief position is anticipated to be posted on the City’s website by the end of February.