The Dallas Hispanic Firefighters Association has a member in need of your love, support and prayers. DHFA is a family and we stand together with our members when they need it the most.

Driver Engineer Emilio Carvajal is a 31 year paramedic with Dallas Fire Department. He was hired at the age of 23 and started his career at station 46. He has worked at Station 3, 18, 25, 56 and currently at 45’s.

At age 55, he is one of the longest standing Paramedics in Dallas and would not have done any other career.

In November 2025 Emilio was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer from exposure on the job as he has never smoked a day in his life. He works out daily and is very active. He has 4 children. His oldest son is Emilio Jr. 34, currently works for Dallas Fire Department, who is married and has 4 children. Ember is 19 years old and attends Rochester University studying Electrical Engineering. Gabriel is 16 years old and attends Townview Business school in Dallas. The youngest is Olivia who is 9 years old. Emilio is engaged to his soulmate Lesley who he has dated for 2 1/2 years.

Emilio has been an integral part of the Dallas Fire Department Peer Support Group. He has been an upstanding and well respected with his peers and officers for all 31 years of service. He loves his job and plans on working 5-10 more years as a Paramedic, if his health allows. He does need help financially to pay medical bills and other expenses if he needs days off work for cancer treatments. Thank you for any amount you can give, nothing too small - everything helps. We are better together!

Praying together,

Stefani Salinas

DHFA President