Other Past or Current Departments and Organizations
Grant County Ambulance Service
Grant County Rescue Squad
Grant County EMA
Haz-Mat 7 (Regional Haz-Mat Responce)
My Training:
I am a KY certified career firefighter with approx. 3500 hours training.
I also hold a Natiional Registry EMT-B Certification as well as a Ky EMT-B Certification.
KY Certified Fire and Rescue Trainer. Haz-Mat Tech.
Certified Fire Investigator.
About Me:
I started my career in January 1990. In 1992 I became an EMT and started working for the local EMS Service and joined the county Rescue Squad. In 1994 I was promoted to Chief of the rescue Sqad and held that position until 1996. I continued my education and became a Haz-Mat Tech in 1995, a fire investigator in 1996, and an instructor in 1997. I was elected to be the departments historian in 1998, after I dug up some old material on the department. During 1998 I let my EMT expire due to a demanding job. In 2003 I became a certified EMT-FR and in 2006 I certified as an EMT-B. I was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in 2006 and I am at that rank at the present time. In 2005 I was given the Training Officers position for our department and I hold that to this date as well. I am the lead instructor for the departments Recruit Class that we put on once a year and am respocible for setting trainings up and the entering of those trainings to the State of Kentucky Fire Commission. I spent two years as a paid part time employee of the Dry Ridge Fire Department from late 2004 until January 2007. At the current time I am a volunteer.
Day Job:
State Highway Department, Road Maint.
Relationship Status:
Married
Why I Joined Fire/EMS
When I started, there was a few friends that were in the department and they talked me into it. Who would have thought that it would take me this far...
Why I Love Fire/EMS
Knowing "WE" make a difference
Top Issues Facing Responders:
The lack of TRUE intrest for the fire service from new members. This is for voluntreer as well as paid. The attitude when I started was about Pride, Honor, Integrity, and community service. Today it seems that it is more about "What will the Department do for Me" with new members. The Pride is leaving the Service and no one seems to be able to get it back.
The look is compliments of the movie "Gangs of New York" and an ebay auction. I dress up and teach school kids about the history of the fire service.
Ron, as I read your members page, I find that you and I have the same thoughts on many current topics. In fact, before becoming full-time, I worked ten years for the Illinois Department of Transportation. I was the mainteneance field technician in charge of an expressway.
Pride is leaving the fire service because we are standing by and watching it leave. How many Chief Officers show up in the morning in golf shirts instead of uniforms? How many public safety officers wear uniform hats when on duty in the public? The little traditional things are gone. I'm proud to put the badge on my uniform every day.
I like your "BIO" and I agree with you! I have a saying around here...for all the "newbee's".
IT'S AMAZING WHAT YOU CAN ACCOMPLISH WHEN YOU DON'T CARE WHO GET'S THE CREDIT" Sometimes they miss the spelling of WE and TEAM...you know the whole "where's the I" thing!
Thanks for the add - I agree that things in the FF/EMS fields have changed a lot in the last 23 yrs I have worked it - not all bad though.Some of the attitude you see we see in all jobs for the young entering any area.Tells me something sad about our world
Mike W.
Ron, as I read your members page, I find that you and I have the same thoughts on many current topics. In fact, before becoming full-time, I worked ten years for the Illinois Department of Transportation. I was the mainteneance field technician in charge of an expressway.
My son lives in Bullett County, KY
Stay safe, brother Ron.
Mike
Dec 30, 2007
Marie
howre you doin out in KY?
stay safe!
~Marie
Jan 6, 2008
Kit deitsch
Jan 6, 2008
DEPUTYMARD
Jan 6, 2008
DEPUTYMARD
Jan 6, 2008
Jeff Allen
Jan 7, 2008
Bill
Jan 9, 2008
KC Huff
IT'S AMAZING WHAT YOU CAN ACCOMPLISH WHEN YOU DON'T CARE WHO GET'S THE CREDIT" Sometimes they miss the spelling of WE and TEAM...you know the whole "where's the I" thing!
Jan 13, 2008
Amber
Jan 21, 2008
chele
It's not just the fire service loosing the pride, it seems to be everywhere. Very discouraging to us old folks!
Jan 22, 2008
R.Th@rp ~ F!re Ch!c
Jan 26, 2008
Firegirl
Jan 26, 2008
Nicki
Jan 28, 2008