Who Influenced You?

Who has been an influence on your career as a firefighter?
Did they influence you to join?
Did they influence after you became a firefighter?
Who has had an impact on you as a firefighter?
I have many, but the ONE who stands out is a gentleman by the name of Dale Moore. Dale was a retired chief who was an instructor with the Illinois Fire Service Institute. Dale put on many of the classes that I took early in my career.
But, my father was a major influence in terms of personality. Firefighters like Tyke Jordan, Mike Whitson, Tom Freeman, Rick Lasky, Mark Wessel, Jim Blessman and many more all added dynamics as I sought to become a good firefighter and chief.
TCSS.
Art

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Permalink Reply by Todd on September 2, 2009 at 2:17pm

My mother says I always wanted to be a firefighter, from an early age. That my favorite toys were always fire trucks...my favorite show as a kid was Emergency!, etc.

When I turned 14 one of my three uncles who was in the FD sponsored me as a junior FF. That was 1985 and I haven't looked back.

As for impacts, there are a bunch...but three who really stand out.

The first is my first Captain, Rhett Wessinger. He's no longer in the fire service, but he imparted to me a lot of the leadership traits I try my best to do today. Always cool, calm, and collected.....lead from the front......was always there with his guys doing the dirty work.

The second is Chief Frank Ballentine, our former County Training Chief. Chief Ballentine was an influence not only in Lexington County, but statewide..and the South Carolina Society of Fire Service Instructors has an award of excellence named in his honor.
Chief Ballentine was an innovator who wasn't afraid to try innovative approaches to firefighting because "we've always done it this way". He ran a first class training program essentially out of a closet sized office and an old Chevrolet van. He lived and breathed training, and was quick to impart that the best way to ensure that your people stay safe is to make sure they are well trained.
Chief Ballentine passed away a few years ago. The county finally did the right thing and named out training center in his honor.

The third is retired Chief Gary Day. Chief Day was a firefighter's Fire Chief. The biggest lesson he taught me was that just because you are an officer it doesn't mean you only have to do officer stuff on fire scenes. If you get on scene and everything is going smooth you get your behind on a hose line and fight fire. Chief Day was famous for pulling up on scenes, looking around at things, then asking his officers "You need me?" If not, Chief would get on a hoseline, etc. just like any other firefighter. Get back from a call and Chief was right there with you washing hose, apparatus, etc.

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Permalink Reply by Joe Stoltz on September 2, 2009 at 9:04pm

As far back as I can remember I always wanted to be a firefighter. From time to time people would tell me that I should go join the local VFD, but I always had one excuse or another.

I met David Rhodes in 1978 through the hobby of amateur radio. Dave was a life member of the Alexander (NY) Fire Department and showed me a lot of the tools and equipment carried on the fire trucks. His thorough knowledge coupled with the ability to handle most any situation really impressed me.

What inspired me most of all, however was that he was always ready to go to a fire or EMS call, no matter where he was. Before there were pagers he carried a small pocket scanner, and when his department received a call he just disappeared. He encouraged me in his quiet way to join a department in the town I was moving to, and I did. The rest, as they say, is history.

I lost track of Dave for several years, but finally got back in touch with him just before he died of ALS at the young age of 58. At his calling hours, the entire membership of the AFD - some 70 members - showed up in one group to pay their respects. That says it all about the man.

More recently I have been influenced by people with names like Art, Ben, Bill, Eric, John, Kim, Mary Ellen, Mike, Mick, Ted... well you get the idea.

Who Influenced You?

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