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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:

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Teresa

Hey Big T...
Pictures of E2 are sent and also some oldies you may enjoy.. the oldies are probably a little fuzzy but you can still identify people..Hope you like...

Little T.

Nov 16, 2007
Christina

Hey how are you? Everything is good on this end. I seen that you are a fire instructor. I want to be one too. My uncle works at the academy and i was wondering what classes I needed to have before I could begin pursuing a career in this.

Thanks for your help!

Nov 16, 2007
LadyChaplain

Sounds like a plan :-) Enjoy your vacation time!

Nov 16, 2007
Christina

Thanks for the help hun!

and my uncle is Bill Taylor

Nov 18, 2007
Art "ChiefReason" Goodrich

Hey, Tiger:
Is it just me or is it tough to get a discussion going on this website?
It reads more like a bulletin board than a discussion board.
Look at how many blogs get ZERO replies.
I enjoy reading your stuff and try to comment before I run out the door, but it is tough getting a decent discussion going.
And sorry; but I have run out of things to say about Truck Colors.
Keep it interesting and keep up the good work.
Art

Nov 18, 2007
iceman

Hey, Tiger

Great video firefighter I Bootcamp

George

Nov 19, 2007
Teresa

Hope you and your family have a great Thanksgiving.

Nov 21, 2007
Bill Brierton

Hey I'm interested in hearing from you about recruiting ideas and suggestions. You can email me at engco45@yahoo.com. Thanks in advance and Happy Thanksgiving

Nov 21, 2007
Tony Leonard,Jr.

Hey,just wanted to let you know that i like the new system with the bulletin boards and printers,but i think the the"in house" alert should have been like the one on Emergency!,You know the buzzer,instead of that wierd hi-lo siren thing.

Nov 24, 2007
Brad Carlson

Hey tige.how are ya.good to see a familar mug like yours on the site.hope to talk to ya soon,keep up the good work.ttyl.

Nov 24, 2007
Jeff Betz

Hey - just wanted to let you know I am of similar opinion of yours on these topics. Therefore, a friend request is in order. I too have "been around a while". I find the discussions that are worthy (not all are) to be stimulating and interesting, I like that because it makes the old guy think.

Nov 26, 2007
Breeanna

I just wanted to say "Thank you" for the advice you have given me. Every training shows me how much more I still have to learn. But like the McDonalds tune "I'm Lovin It"

Nov 26, 2007
Kevin Jewett

ok thanks

Nov 27, 2007
Mick Mayers

Just let me know when you're down this way. Fortunately (or unfortunately as it may be) riding along here is riding to fire alarm activations, cardiac calls, and the occasional grinder. When you have a pretty stringent sprinkler code, not much is burning around here. But sometimes...

Nov 30, 2007
O'Kitty

From one cat to another:
Thanks for the add!
;-)

Nov 30, 2007
Dave, NB 9

Yes I was, grew up in Lake View ... Thats where I started everything, even Jr. Capt of the first aid squad. I am also an exempt member there.

Dec 2, 2007
LadyChaplain

I quoted you during a presentation today at school and the professors referred to "what a powerful quote" it was for the rest of class. I think it helped me to get an A on that project :-)

Dec 4, 2007
Tom Ricotta

Hey Tiger,
My Wife and I are expecting Twin Boys any day now, Sooo it was nice knowing you all.....

Dec 4, 2007
LadyChaplain

"Fortunately, each of us doens't have to do everything. Each of us only had to do something"

It was a presentation for my service learning class. As a class, we worked on developing a nature trail on campus and with so many of us and so little time, I figured that quote was pretty fitting.

Congrats on the magazine.

I'm an easy going Catlick girl... you don't need to worry about offending me there. haha.

Dec 5, 2007
Kevin Brautlacht

Hi, thanks for adding me as a friend. This stuff is pretty new to me, I'll have to ask my niece for some help!
Just started a website, any feedback would be appreciated.
If you need anything let me know, take care.

Dec 7, 2007
Mark Bernas

Hello, Tiger, how are you!

Yes, I've heard the Bern-ass joke many times since fourth grade. More than I can count actually, though it has been a bit! Thanks for the flashback.

I never got called for the NFTA job at all, it turns out. But, thank you anyway for the reference. I do appreciate it.

Dec 14, 2007
LadyChaplain

This screwball has been wearing her seatbelt faithfully for the past two days :-)

Dec 15, 2007
LadyChaplain

Oh? You wanna talk about making an ass out of yourself in public? You gotta hear about what happened to the Catlick girl on a call this week... talk about snafu award worthy lol.

Dec 15, 2007
Tiger Schmittendorf

Dear Miss Screwball -

You can keep your SNAFU award. I just like the part about you wearing your seatbelt. Thanks for the Merry Christmas present.

Dec 16, 2007
LadyChaplain

I got this comment from MyCommentCodes.com

~*Miss Screwball*~

Dec 20, 2007
Tiger Schmittendorf

I knew I could count on you for that...

Remember what I always taught you: It's better to be a smart ass - than a dumb ass!

Dec 21, 2007
LadyChaplain

I think I've got that one covered... we'll see for sure when grades come in tomorrow though...

Dec 21, 2007
LadyChaplain

And the smart ass reigns... 3.94 ~ as close to perfect as you can get without actually being perfect. :-)

It was the one pesky A- that kept me from the 4.0.... and the only reason why I got that A- is because I skipped so many classes... oops? lol.

Dec 23, 2007
Tiger Schmittendorf

WOW McK -

You really are a SMART ass. Nicely done. Congratulations!

Dec 23, 2007
LadyChaplain

Who said anything about Cuba, NY? I was thinking more along the lines of Cuba... like the island... where the Commies are. They banned the celebration of Christmas there.. I like that idea.

Dec 23, 2007
Tiger Schmittendorf

Duhhhhhhhhhh.

You don't like Christmas?

A fine Catlick you are.

Dec 23, 2007
LadyChaplain

I work in RETAIL... am I supposed to like Christmas? With all the... *nice* customers?! Hmmmmm!?

Dec 23, 2007
Tiger Schmittendorf

What do you have in a size 60 jeans that would look great on me?

Don't ever let me catch you wearing a ball cap sideways. I'll knock it off your head, or your head out from underneath it!

[Insert "flat tire" sound effect here.]

Dec 24, 2007
LadyChaplain

Hmmm I be thinkin' that I've gotz some RocaWear or some FUBU that might be fly as hell, yo.

Dec 24, 2007
LadyChaplain

Wait? I can't even wear my trucker hat tilted off to the side? Just a little? :-( awwwwwwwwwww.

Dec 25, 2007
Tiger Schmittendorf

Don't even....

Dec 27, 2007
LadyChaplain

I'm working on that... I posted it the other night and I can't figure out why it's not on my page either.... damn these computers... damn them to hell.

Dec 27, 2007
LadyChaplain

Oh... and what's your stance on fitteds with flat brims?

Dec 27, 2007
Tiger Schmittendorf

What do you think my stance is, CrackerJack?

Dec 27, 2007
LadyChaplain

You don't like 'em in the locked position?! (my dad came up with that one...)

Dec 28, 2007
Tiger Schmittendorf

That's a good one.

Dec 28, 2007
LadyChaplain

Oh aren't you special? Bellevue doesn't get calls anymore... nobody likes us. Not like I disagree with them...

Dec 28, 2007
LadyChaplain

Oh god, not another dumb caveman firefighter. And that just reminds me... with you only having 3 days left as a chief... that leaves me with only........... 13 days to write a knock 'em dead speech for insulation... thanks for getting rid of my happy feeling.

Dec 28, 2007
Carrie McCurdy

Luckily, we built an additional station in 2005 that was big enough to house what equipment we could save and we plan to break gound on our new station in the near future.

We were able to get an Engine, Brush Truck, ATV Unit and boat out before the ceiling gave way. We only lost a Tanker.

thanks for offering your assistance though.

Dec 28, 2007
LadyChaplain

How'd I know that I'd find you online at this ungodly hour of the morning?

Dec 30, 2007
Firefighter Spot

Be Safe!
www.firefighterspot.com

I am a NY firefighter and the creator of firefighterspot.com. IF you ever want to feature training on my site drop me a line.

Dec 30, 2007
Capt. Jack

A better photo huh?...... I wonder what you might be thinking of.

Dec 30, 2007
LadyChaplain

There... I changed my profile picture... no subliminal gang symbols this time. lol.

Dec 30, 2007
Michael Finney

Sorry...thought I put the link... the OFA is the Open Fire Academy... www.openfireacademy.org. Hope this helps! Let me know if you are interested in teaching.

Dec 31, 2007
LadyChaplain

This girl is Bellevue's top responder... now that's gotta be worth SOMETHING haha.

Jan 2, 2008