LODD: Salinas Fire Department Fire Engineer Joshua Hostetter

It is with profound sadness that the Salinas Fire Department and Salinas City Firefighters Association, Local 1270, share the passing of one of their own.

Fire Engineer and IAFF Local 1270 President Joshua "Hos" Hostetter passed away on Wednesday, September 10, 2025. Engineer Hostetter served the citizens of Salinas with honor and distinction for over 23 years. He loved the fire service and began his career as a seasonal firefighter. He served for three seasons at CAL FIRE prior to being hired by the Salinas Fire Department in 2002.

Engineer Hostetter was a dedicated leader and a mentor. He served as the President of the Salinas Firefighters Association, Local 1270, for many years, advocating for his fellow brothers, sisters, and his community. More recently, he was honored by the Salinas Chamber of Commerce as it’s “Citizen of the Year” for 2024/2025. As a mentor, Josh was passionate about teaching probationary firefighters about the profession and the traditions of the department. His commitment to service left a lasting impression on those around him.

Josh is survived by his wife, Angel, of 21 years, and their four daughters: Abigail, Bailey, Kylee, and Samantha.

Memorial service information will be on our website once the information is confirmed.