Thomas W. Yager

Profile Information:

Type of Organization

Fire/Rescue Department - Volunteer

Job Function

Assistant or Deputy Chief, Secretary / Treasurer

Years in Fire/EMS:

10

Primary Fire/EMS Department:

Kenilworth Fire Company # 1

Years With Department/Agency

10

Dept. Web Site:

http://www.kenilworthfire.com

My Training:

NYS Basic FIrefighter, NYS Intermediate Firefighter, COnducting Live Fire Evolutions, Live Fire Training Safety, NYS Intro to Fire Officer, NYS Fire Officer I

About Me:

I joined Kenilworth on July 24, 1998. Since I joined as a "torchboy" I have held positions of Fire Prevention Lieutenant, FIrematic Lieutenant, Firematic Captain, 2nd Asst Chief-Nights, 2nd Asst Chief Nights, & Fire company Secretary. I am truly all about my Fire Company. If something needs to be done I'm right there to jump in. Ive run numerous parties, fund raisers and other events.

Day Job:

Praxair Inc.- Financial Services

Relationship Status:

Single

Why I Joined Fire/EMS

When I was 15, my cousin who was a part timer with BFD talked to me about it & needless to say 4 days after my 16th birthday I joined. I have a huge sense of helping those in need & I believe thats something you have to have when doing this.

Why I Love Fire/EMS

One word. Brotherhood. The greatest thing about being a first responder is the fact that you have so many people you can count on.

Top Issues Facing Responders:

I think there are a few that really stick out. For lack of a better term, "wanna-be's". I am not here to bash anyone, but you know who I am talking about. These are the guys who have a 4 foot blue light bar on thier car while doing 60 to a bull sh*t call. The ones who join for the free stuff. Take away any perks I get tommorow and you won't get any less dedication from me. The second issue, is the increasing liability & training requirements facing the volunteer service. Over the past decade more and more organizations are being sued for what some lawyer thinks we did wrong on a fire scene. Firefighters are going to jail now because someone who has never been 10 feet away from a camp fire thinks we could have done something differently.

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