Type of Organization

Fire/Rescue Department - Volunteer

Job Function

Fire Chief / Chief of Department

Years in Fire/EMS:

17

Primary Fire/EMS Department:

Oakland Twp. VFD

Years With Department/Agency

17

My Training:

Started with Basic A and Essentials of Firefighting.Have had Officer training,Trained to Haz mat Ops level,EVOC,Pump I and II,PA 130-190,FI-110,Basic Arson investigation,Vehicle Extrication,ICS,NIMS 100,200,700,and 800.When I started we also still did a lot of OJT.

About Me:

Started with the Oakland VFD in 1994 after I came home from college,although I had been hanging around the firehall since I was a kid.Have lived in Oakland Twp.all my life and my grandfather was a charter member of the dept.I just took to it like a duck to water I guess.Have been Lieutenant,Captain a couple times,C2 and C3.I am also a Volunteer Forest Fire Warden with the PA Bureau of Forestry.When I started we stilll had MSA Demand SCBA and still had High boots and long coats.
I was just elected chief for 2012.

Day Job:

welder at Joy Mining Machinery(3-11 shift)in Franklin,PA

Relationship Status:

Married

Why I Love Fire/EMS

I love to be able to help people in the community.

Top Issues Facing Responders:

Volunteer recruitment and retention,increased prices for necessary equipment and having the financial resources to be able to get them.