Type of Organization

Fire/Rescue Department - Volunteer

Job Function

Training Officer

Years in Fire/EMS:

15

Primary Fire/EMS Department:

Big Lake Fire - Skagit Fire Dist #9

Years With Department/Agency

15

Dept. Web Site:

http://www.biglakefire.com

My Training:

Skagit County Recruit Academy - 1994 - FF
Skagit County EMS - 1995 - First Responder
Skagit County EMS - 1996 - EMT-B
Skagit County Recruit Academy - 2003 - FF 1
VFIS - 2001 - EVAP Driver Train the Trainer

Day Job:

Farmer's Equipment Co, Forklift Service Manager

Relationship Status:

Married

Facebook or Other Online Profile:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Big-Lake-Fire-Fighters-Association/10...

Why I Joined Fire/EMS

Wanted to be an assest to my community, my neighbors and my family when anyone was in need.

Why I Love Fire/EMS

I LOVE the Fire Service, it's not about the calls, it's all about the SERVICE, it's not what you get, but what you give that matters.

Top Issues Facing Responders:

Locally, there are to many individuals who are more concerned about controlling their piece of the pie, than the overall good of the community at large (think county rather than just who is in your district boundary). Is it better to act and respond from a larger group, or only with what may be available within the district? What serves your citizen's best?

On a larger scale - morale, I know that alot of firefighters (career and volunteer) are more than excited when they start their firefighting careers, it is up to the staff to keep them that way (trainers, officers, Chief's). We need to make sure they want to come to training, that they want to go to calls, that they feel confident about their abilities and that we are consistently challenging them.