Tiger Schmittendorf

, Male

Angola

United States

Profile Information:

What State do you live in?
NY
Type of Organization
Volunteer Fire Department
Job Function
Fire Chief/Commisioner
Years in Fire/EMS:
34
Primary Fire/EMS Department:
Erie County Department of Emergency Services-Fire Safety Division
Years With Department/Agency
15
Dept. Web Site:
http://www.erie.gov/fire
My Training:
Nationally Certified Fire Instructor
About Me:
HERE'S THE BIO THAT'S INCLUDED AT THE END OF ARTICLES I WRITE:
Tiger Schmittendorf serves as Deputy Fire Coordinator in the County of Erie Department of Emergency Services which manages three training facilities, 45 fire instructors and the training of 97 fire departments and 5,000+ firefighters.

He is a Nationally Certified Fire Instructor and a firefighter since 1980.

Schmittendorf brings 15 years of experience in engineering, sales and marketing management to marketing the product he loves: the fire service. He specializes in recruitment and retention, marketing, training and management consulting for counties and fire departments around the country.

He suffers from an extremely dry sense of humor and routinely makes an ass of himself, often in public.
Day Job:
Deputy Fire Coordinator
Relationship Status:
Married
Facebook or Other Online Profile:
http://www.tigerschmittendorf.com
Why I Joined Fire/EMS
I grew up across the street from the firehouse and was a part of it from age 8. I couldn't wait to become our department's first junior firefighter when I turned 17 and then an active firefighter a few months later when I turned 18.

I proudly enjoy helping people but any firefighter who tells you they don't love it for the adrenaline rush... is lying.
Why I Love Fire/EMS
In addition to the great experiences I've enjoyed as a volunteer firefighter, I've been blessed to be able to make a career of it. There isn't anything I'd rather do. This is the best damn job in the world.
Top Issues Facing Responders:
Recruitment and Retention of Volunteer Firefighters.

I believe the survival and success of the Volunteer Fire Service relies on our ability to create more opportunities, for more more people, to volunteer less time.

Comment Wall:

  • Firefighter Nation WebChief

    Tiger

    Welcome to the Nation!

    Always good to see some familiar names here!

    Dave

    Aug 6, 2007

  • Robert E. Newell

    Good web site, your pix would be a good addition .

    Aug 6, 2007

  • LadyChaplain

    Tiger, I never got a chance to thank you for letting me into that Accident Victim Extrication class. It was greatly appreciated. I learned a lot of valuable information.

    Thanks!!
    McKenzie

    Sep 7, 2007

  • Randy Macey

    Check out the some of the Groups, I have started up "Close Calls" an area to tell your story of what you did and should not of so others learn. "Roll Calls" this is another group that allows you to tell us about your station and district. "Trainers Corner" is another area that you can read about issues other trainers have or deal with. As well if your not a trainer you can ask questions or state concerns you have. If you have a hard time locating them just go to my site and look at the bottom left hand corner.

    Enjoy, be safe and remember we all come home.

    Mace

    Sep 14, 2007

  • Steve Darby

    Hi Tiger,
    Enjoyed you article on the Brins fire, I did my paramedic vehicular in Sedona back in the mid 80s. We all held our breath when the fire threatened Oak Creek Canyon. We owe a lot to the dedicated Firefighters that worked so hard to limit the damage the fire caused. I had to take a medical retirement in 2000 from Mesa due to an on the job injury. I find myself as a fire science instructor now, something I never thought I could do (not being on the streets) but I really enjoy it, anyway thanks for the comment and take care.

    Sep 16, 2007

  • LadyChaplain

    I will give you a call Tuesday in between my classes.

    Sep 16, 2007

  • Nate DeMarse

    Tiger,

    In response to the question that you asked, a Signal 5-5-5-5 is only transmitted for a line of duty death.

    A signal 65-2 is transmitted to notify members of an off-duty member that has passed away.

    Both of the signals are radio signals transmitted over the department radio after the family(s) are notified. However, I think it is a sobering touch to add the 5-5-5-5 bell to any line of duty funeral.

    Sep 20, 2007

  • Nate DeMarse

    I hear ya brother. It is a battle that never ends.

    I commend your efforts. If there is anything else that you need, please let me know.

    Sep 20, 2007

  • Mick Mayers

    Thanks for the add. I'm not quite sure about the whole "social" aspect of it all either, but it seems to work for me so far. I get these "friend" requests and I don't turn anyone down, but then I'm saying, just what does that actually obligate me to do? So far, not much.

    When I mentioned it all to a couple of colleagues, it got a little snicker, but my philosphy is that maybe someone out there has the next great idea and I just need to recognize it and refine it. To do that, however, requires exposure to the raw material, so here I am. And as you can probably imagine, some of this material isn't just raw, it's still in some sub-molecular status.

    Sep 26, 2007

  • Kevin Jewett

    Tiger, just woundering if we can get a FF2 class set up for the spring...if you can let me know theres a few of us that want to take it.

    Oct 16, 2007

  • Erie County Fire Safety

    If your fire department would like to host a course, have your chief or training officer submit a course request form to our office and we will see how it fits into the overall schedule.

    Oct 16, 2007

  • lloyd

    I so appreciate you "breaking your silence" on drinking in the firehouse. How stupid can people get nowdays? Just one drink can impair your judgement.

    Oct 21, 2007

  • Joe Totero

    Tiger, your department's stance on drinking is commendable. 15 to 20 years is a damn great track record! We tried just eliminating the beer from the firehouse & that lasted less than a month. Many members threatened to quit or never show up again. I told them that was not a problem. Well, let me just say, the beer is back & I am not well liked. They even refuse to nominate me for officer because they feel I will "make waves." I got my surfboard ready, but they won't give me the chance. I'm not a member of a fire department family nor am I a drinking buddy. I do have a few beers once in a blue moon, but I stay away from the station & don't respond. Unfortunately, it'll take a tradegy to open a few eyes here. I just hope I'm no where near when it happens. Stay safe & keep up the good work!

    Oct 21, 2007

  • Joe Totero

    I'd love to be accused of being too serious. It's a helluva lot better than being the laughing stock of the county!

    Oct 23, 2007

  • Willie Parker

    I don't know how you download it (be trying to find out). I did not make the video, sorry.

    Oct 26, 2007

  • Stephanie Childress

    I do love the TNT tool...but it does get heavy for me after a while. That thing is the "all in one" tool. I also like just a plain old axe. You can strike, or pry, or "cut". haha. I like the small things too. We have "fire flaps" at our department. To be a woman I sure do love tools! I hope you have a good day!

    Oct 30, 2007

  • Fire Marshal; Sandy - aka Honey

    Well, how-do there. I tried to get a different title....something much more suitable...sorta like, uh, I don't know...uh, maybe Training Goddess. Yelp, that has a great ring to it, don't cha think? LOL As for my title.... ‘Slash’ would probably be more appropriate. Allow me to explain. You know.... First and foremost, I am the Chief Training Officer, and then along came the OSHA requirements on Bloodborne Pathogens. Henceforth the first of my many ‘slashes’: Chief Training Officer/Infection Control Officer/Firefighter physicals setter upper/SCBA tester/resident form and flyer maker/Fire inspections fill-in man/everything else. You know the saying about “Do you want to see the man in charge or the woman who knows what’s going on?”. Well, I feel confidant in saying that was written about me. HAHAHA Some folks call what I do as cross training…I, however, call it just good job security. Now, you know ‘the rest of the story’.

    Oct 31, 2007

  • Stephanie Childress

    a fire flap is like....a piece of thick rubber on a pole. You can use it for little hot spots on outside fires to kind of "beat" the fire out. So violent! =)

    Oct 31, 2007

  • Stephanie Childress

    http://cspoutdoors.stores.yahoo.net/fireflap.html

    I tried to copy and paste a picture for you but if you go to this website you should be able to see a picture. =)

    Oct 31, 2007

  • Kevin Jewett

    If possible can you put our website on the Erie fire company site. Its woodlawnfirecompany.com. Thanks

    Nov 3, 2007

  • LadyChaplain

    Kudos on your article in the FASNY magazine!!! I liked it a lot... I wish that somebody in my company would take it to heart and put together a REAL annual report. Such wishful thinking though.

    McKenzie

    Nov 5, 2007

  • Stephanie Childress

    Ok....here's some trivia. I am sure you know this but a rookie like me thinks it is interesting. =)

    What is the difference between a closet pike pole and a regular pike pole?

    Nov 6, 2007

  • LadyChaplain

    Thanks for the compliment, and perhaps I will take this project on. If you could send me the template I would greatly appreciate it :-)

    McK

    Nov 8, 2007

  • Kevin Jewett

    Hey just wondering if you have any pictures from the days inn fire Sunday morning

    Nov 13, 2007

  • LadyChaplain

    Tiger -
    I have a timeline for when I need to have all of my internship materials completed. I think we can take it from there now.

    McK

    Nov 14, 2007