Mitchell Guarano enjoyed a 23-year career with the National City Fire Department where he earned his fire science degree and was promoted to Engineer. Mitchell demonstrated his commitment by becoming proficient in Spanish to serve as the liaison to the Bombero Program which provides firefighters from Mexico with advanced fire training. He was passionate about antique transportation and gave special care to his department's 1925 Seagraves fire engine. Mitchell died from complications with work-related cancer in 1996.