Joe Bushel

Profile Information:

Type of Organization

Fire/Rescue Department - Volunteer

Job Function

Assistant or Deputy Chief

Years in Fire/EMS:

40

Primary Fire/EMS Department:

Suwannee County Fire Districts

Years With Department/Agency

5

Other Past or Current Departments and Organizations

Highland Park, NJ VFD, Jacksonville FL FD, Orange Park, FL FD (captain), Clay County (FL) Rescue (EMT II), Clay County Sheriff's Dept (Sergeant)

My Training:

Basic firefighting, Advanced firefighting, extrication techniques, EMT, EMT II (advanced), Assoc Sci in Fire Science, Assoc Sci Criminal Justice, Police Academy (FL)

Day Job:

retired

Relationship Status:

Widowed

Why I Joined Fire/EMS

I was asked to join a volunteer fire department by a friend of my father in law and have been involved ever since. Services have included fire, rescue, and the sheriff's department.

Why I Love Fire/EMS

the knowledge that I have helped others

Top Issues Facing Responders:

Most Government entities are financially in trouble. This means cuts in most emergency services. This increases the dependence on Volunteers. At the same time, training requirements have increased so greatly that most volunteers cannot afford the time investment to qualify for service. This is very quickly leading to a decrease in the availablility of emergency services and response times. Added to this is the attitude of many professional Fire/EMS personnel against volunteers. This not only creates friction at the scene but also influences the opinions of politicians who have a tendency to turn against their volunteers. The ultimate conclusion is that volunteers will no longer be viable and this will result in even less availability of emergency services to the public.

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