Type of Organization

Fire/Rescue Department - Paid, Industrial/Institutional

Job Function

Fire Chief / Chief of Department, First Responder, Hazardous Materials Team Member

Years in Fire/EMS:

17

Primary Fire/EMS Department:

Pine Bend Refinery Fire Department, Rosemount MN

Years With Department/Agency

6

Other Past or Current Departments and Organizations

Hastings Fire Department /Retired Lieutenant

My Training:

FF2, Industrial Firefighter. 1st Responder, Hazmat, Rope Rescue, Flammable Liquids Firefighting

About Me:

Fire Chief of an Industrial Fire Department located in a large Refinery in Rosemount Minnesota.

Relationship Status:

Married

Why I Joined Fire/EMS

Started as a Reserve Police Officer in 1991 and prior to that was in the US Army fulltime.

Why I Love Fire/EMS

The Team concept, Serving with the best guys I have ever had the privilage to know.

Top Issues Facing Responders:

Quality leadership. I served on a department where leadership was simply a promotion based on being popular, nothing else. Sadly this is the norm on many departments. Chief's are not educated on leadership, and have no formal training to lead people.