Type of Organization

Fire/Rescue Department - Volunteer, Fire/Rescue Department - Combination, Other Response Agency Type

Job Function

Other Senior Command Staff, Training Officer, Firefighter, First Responder, Fire Buff / Fire EnthusiastAdministrative Staff / Team Member, Other Emergency Services Staff, Other

Years in Fire/EMS:

38

Primary Fire/EMS Department:

Palm Beach Gardens Fire Rescue

Years With Department/Agency

7 years

Dept. Web Site:

http://PBGFR.com

Web Site:

http://Palm Beach County FOOLS

Other Past or Current Departments and Organizations

Deer Park Fire Department
Holbrook Fire Department
FDNY
Mastic Beach Rescue

My Training:

Old School ( Everything ) That includes EMT, AEMT ; (AMT) which today is called Paramedic. I've climbed the ranks since 1971 starting as a probie. Within 2 month's I was assistant to one of the Commissioners, Secretary - Treasurer with Deer Park Fire Department, Aero Rescue Company 4. My Truck was 1-4-10, My Box was 1-4-4

About Me:

My career began as a 17 year old High School Student that could'nt join the department until I graduated much like today but , back then we bent the rules a little. ( no OSHA ) I got to know Capt. Phil Bradbury, Lt. Mike Carrucci, and Captain Richie Ercole. They became my Mentors and went on the carpet to talk to Chief Carl Amato and came to me and said I could join as long as I did'nt cut classes from school if we got a call. Back then we were notified with town sirens and Claxon Horns. I was voted into Aero Rescue Co. 4 and would'nt you know it the first time that siren went off I was in school and said to myself wait , wait, wait, then a second alarm went out. (those days everyone worked and it was first come first go. Well I scaled down the climbed out the second story at school and ran to the fire house. Captain Bradbury was there because he worked as a bus driver at the school across the street. Since it was only him and me, he said let's go. I almost wet my pants... This was my very first call and I was still in high School still in class ( going against everything the Chief told me not to do) That was the beginning of my career. I got to know everyone , but I'll never forget my very first mentors, Phil Mike, and Ritchie. Then there was Lt. Tommy Richardson T.J. He was the one that started me with FDNY, he worked for Con Edison and he would always ask if anyone wanted to ride in the City, I was always the one to say I will. I was young , single, and full of piss & vinegar. we rode with FDNY during all the strikes and riots etc. I got to know a bunch of guys and he introduced me to some guys that lived in Deer Park. ie: Ray Downey, Joe Angelino Sr. etc. My first fire in New York was with T.J. and it was a casket company fire it was me and him. What a night it was cold and it was hot The outriggers were frozen outside in the ice and we were boiling in the building trapped under amelted I Beam. Suddenly we hear the sound of axes and Haligans and in comes help breaking through the bay door. The boiling water poured out of the building melted the iced in outriggers and we went back to the house. Nice job 6 month's on the job.

Day Job:

New York Style Deli Manager/Cook

Relationship Status:

Married

Facebook or Other Online Profile:

http://www.alongifamilyvineyards.com sonnyswine@hotmail.com

Why I Joined Fire/EMS

I was a MUTT when I was 14 years old , it scared the hell out of me so I decided right then and there that I would put them out instead of starting them. Now at 54 years old it's in my DNA

Why I Love Fire/EMS

The Brotherhood ... Always the Brotherhood ...EGH

Top Issues Facing Responders:

Today and always Politics. New members can't appreciate what the old school firefighters learned and did. Their all TOP GUNS,they don't know FTM, PTB, EGH. These days it's too clicky. They should only know how I was and could still be. I can still pull my own weight (Old School) and come out alive. ( with or without a mask ) Remember that Jimmy ( you know who this is )