Known for his charismatic personality, quick wit, sense of humor and smile, Tony Valerio was a dedicated firefighter/paramedic for 27 years. He began his public service as an EMT in Oakland and in 1984, and was hired by the San Francisco Department of Public Health as a paramedic. He became a firefighter/ paramedic in 1987. In his spare time, he was a scuba diver, surfer, hang glider, cook, world traveler and spoke several languages. He was 53 when he died from injuries sustained in the line of duty, doing the job he loved.