Phil Reif Co-Founder & Chair, PMHLS

Phil Reif's story is one of dedication — not just to the job, but to the people behind it.

Phil joined the Sacramento Fire Department on July 5, 1977, graduating at the top of his recruit class (77-2). What followed was a 28-year career defined by excellence, mentorship, and a deep commitment to his fellow firefighters and the Sacramento community.

After 16 years of riding backwards Phil took the next step and was promoted to Captain in 1993. HIs next chapters of his career took him to the Recruit Academy, where he served as Training Officer and eventually Drill Master, shaping the next generation of Sacramento firefighters across five recruit classes. Phil retired in October 2005 from Engine 11 A-shift, closing out a career as distinguished as it was long.

Beyond his daily duties, Phil was a founding member of FEMA's CA Heavy Rescue Task Force 7, one of the nation's elite urban search and rescue teams. He responded to the 1994 Northridge Earthquake, deployed to the Oklahoma City Bombing in 1995 as Squad 6 Leader, and served as a Rescue Scene Manager at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. He also served on three OES Strike Teams throughout his career. On September 11, 2001 — the day Task Force 7 was called to New York — Phil was battling the Darby Fire, a moment that remains one of the most bittersweet of his career.

But Phil's impact reaches well beyond the firehouse.

In May 1991, Phil was one of 20 people, chiefs, captains, engineers, and firefighters — who signed the Articles of Incorporation founding Pioneer Mutual Hook and Ladder Society, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to supporting the fire service community. From the very beginning, Phil was on the front lines of building the organization, personally spending a decade walking the shifts, encouraging firefighters to contribute through payroll deduction. He was elected Vice-Chair in 1993, and stepped up as Chair in 1995 following the passing of beloved colleague Paul Esola.

Phil's commitment to PMHLS never wavered. In 2017, he was again voted in as Vice-Chair, this time serving under Chief Forrest Adam. Upon Chief Adam's passing, Phil once again stepped into the role of Chairman, serving for two more years before passing the torch to current Chair Randy Wootton. For eight years, Phil also served as Membership Coordinator following Tim McCormack's retirement from the Board — a role he held until Randy Wootton took over. All told, Phil gave 35 years of service to the PMHLS Board.

One of Phil's proudest traditions was the Annual “The Best” Crab Feed. What began in February 1992 as a modest fundraiser with Paul Esola grew, under Phil's and others' steady hand, into a beloved Sacramento institution. For 30 years, he assembled the raffle, took the mic as MC, and helped raise thousands of dollars for PMHLS — all while bringing the fire family and Sacramento community together around a shared table. He also helped organize the Annual Father's Day Breakfast, running the raffle for that event and making it a cherished tradition in its own right.

Phil's service never stopped at the edges of his job description. He rode in the Ride Across America Campaign in 1991 and 1995, raising funds for the Pacific Burn Institute. He spent five years as a Camp Counselor at the Firefighters Burn Camp for Kids. He chaired the Annual Firefighters Memorial, served on two Yearbook Committees, and was a proud committee member of the Sacramento Fire Department's 125th Anniversary Celebration in 1997. And for those who remember the Waterfront Boat Races, Phil was a proud member of the undefeated Sacramento Fire canoe racing team, competing against Sacramento PD and the Sacramento County Sheriff's Department.

On March 19, 2026 — his final day as a serving board member — Phil was honored with a California Senate Resolution signed by State Senator Angélique Ashby, a fitting tribute to a man who spent 35 years giving his time, energy, and heart to Pioneer Mutual and the firefighting family he called his own.

Phil Reif gave 28 years to the Sacramento Fire Department and 35 years to PMHLS. To those who know him, it never felt like an obligation. It felt like home.