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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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Dave, NB 9

Holy ------- I love the New Lake Placid sign !! ROFLMAO

Jul 5, 2008
Michele

Is it too late to donate and etching? I just got slammed with things and forgot to send one.

Sorry about that.

Jul 5, 2008
Dave, NB 9

Tiger, where is that photo of the sign again...

Jul 6, 2008
Mary Ellen Shea

somehow I suspect that kern mantle rope is going to be the least of my worries....

Jul 10, 2008
LadyChaplain

Jul 11, 2008
Dave, NB 9

Jul 13, 2008
Dave, NB 9

Is it time to start in on Mel? If the Temps hold, you and I should show up with ice bags around our necks, flip-flops and shorts

Jul 18, 2008
Jim Brunelle Jr.

I can help with that, check out this link Tiger, http://www.firefighternation.com/photo/photo/show?id=889755%3APhoto%3A966548

Jul 18, 2008
LadyChaplain

Congrats on the save...
Oh and Mel said she's buying us dinner @ convention.

Jul 24, 2008
Tim Stearns

I cant believe its almost over already, and i cant wait to see all the pics from the class

Jul 25, 2008
Rick

Hi my name Rick, I recently read your post on the the Officer's Post page and I agree with what you had to say. I was wondering if you had any advice how I could bring this kind of thinking to my dept. Thank for your time.

Jul 25, 2008
Dave Stachelski

Thanks Tiger,

You did an excellent job at our graduation, it's very appreciated.

Jul 26, 2008
LadyChaplain

You are such a bad influence. It is almost 2am, and I'm up... doing work. What the heck?

Jul 27, 2008
Mary Ellen Shea

Great pics of the Hamburg FF1....now I'm in full-blown bummed out status about boot camp because I surprised myself with how well I was doing with knots.
I can do a double-eight on a bight and tie off with an overhand in my sleep....with gloves on.

Jul 27, 2008
Mary Ellen Shea

as opposed to the barrette I almost blinded you with?

Jul 28, 2008
lawrence Way

Hey Tiger, its larry... you put Jason. But anyway, thanks for your support and i'll talk to you later.

Jul 28, 2008
Vinessa

Haha. Thanks Tiger. I've been working out. I look much more like that photo now.

Jul 29, 2008
Mary Ellen Shea

You're going to have to settle for looking a little less buff, I sent you your shirt in the proper size yesterday, you should get it today or tomorrow.

Jul 29, 2008
Kevin Jewett

the new schedule coming out for the fall anytime soon????

Aug 1, 2008
Paulo Jesus

Hello from Portugal

My name's Paulo, I live in Oporto (the 2nd biggest portuguese city). I'm Fire Chief and the President of the Portuguese Volunteers Firefighters Association.
I hope we can exchange knowladge and become good friends. Who knows one day we'll meet.
Keep in touch.

My MSN contact: PauloFlyboy@hotmail.com

Aug 2, 2008
Greg Smith

Hey Mr. Sir Dude

I definitly appreciate that picture of me dancing at boot camp that you posted. All firefighters should know how to dance.

Aug 2, 2008
brian

tiger my direct email is bf1555@optonline.net or my cell is 516-840-8839. beam is interested in doing the benefit to kick off the new terry fund label. so it seems to be as go. can you send me all details about the function most importantly about the hall and who runs it so the Beam folks can make contact
all the best
brian farrell

Aug 4, 2008
Mary Ellen Shea

Salty Dog???
I don't even know what to say about that....

Aug 4, 2008
Tom Chmielowiec Jr.

Hey Tiger,
i took a few pics of me and my dad from your gallery... thanks
Junior
OCD

Aug 4, 2008
Mark Bernas

I know this is going to sound ridiculous, but I haven't forgotten all those pics I promised you. They are coming. No need to send Knuckles and Lefty.

Aug 5, 2008
Mary Ellen Shea

I should have a confirmation date for you manana...

The Five Alarm Geisha-Geek.

Aug 7, 2008
Christopher J. Naum, SFPE

Hey Tiger!
Hope all is well, I'm certain you're as busy as usual. Nice recent article and posts.
Let's talk sometime soon. LMK
Stay safe..........
Chris

Aug 7, 2008
Mary Ellen Shea

More like that's your worst nightmare....

Aug 12, 2008
Jim Brunelle Jr.

Tiger,
Yeah I do play paintball,not much lately, they closed down the outdoor playfield here in Kingsbury and the indoor arena in Albany just folded.Are you a paintballer?

Aug 12, 2008
Shawn McMahon

Yeah Next Time I need to put some Thought into building a Webpage and not just run into it.!! Good point on the "Public Safety" issue though. Thats why I took it down, That and I havn't had time to get the Domain going either.

But good looking out. Stay safe!!
Hopefully I'll be gettin back to being a Volunteer. Was out for a LONG while due to a Back Injury I recieved when I was working for a Ambulance Company.

Aug 13, 2008
Mary Ellen Shea

Tiger smiling in a pic?
I need more meds.

Aug 14, 2008
Karen

The MRC group I belong to is sponsored by the Trumbull County Emergency Mgt. We are a relatively small unit, with less then 50 certified volunteers at this time. We've had the basic NIMS training sessions, CDLS (Core Disaster Life Support) as well as Psychological First Aid training. A small group of us also took a CERT training class in June.
We are dispatched out of the Emergency Mgt Office and also the County Public Health Dept.
That's pretty much just the basics. Follow the link below to the website for a little more information, and thanks for asking!
http://www.medicalreservecorps.gov/detail.asp?id=974&State=41

Aug 15, 2008
Jim Brunelle Jr.

Tiger,
You should bring your gun to Albany in Oct. We could set up a game.

Aug 15, 2008
Mary Ellen Shea

Dear Mr. Salty,
Thanks for not rolling on the ground laughing after listening to my request yesterday.

Your restraint was admirable....All I'm saying is think about it before you shoot it down in flames. There are some perks to the gig which you may want to consider before deciding.
Tanks-
The Probie

Aug 17, 2008
LadyChaplain

Uh oh... look at who's nipping at your heels with the points system?!

Aug 22, 2008
Jim Brunelle Jr.

Hey Tiger, I'd like to donate a Shirt and Patch from my dept for your auction, shoot me an email with an address to send it to and I'll get it right out.
What size shirt you wear?

Aug 22, 2008
LadyChaplain

I hate inclement weather... dispatch was down for a few hours today, so we had to sit around on standby... I only like doin' the standby thing if it's in the middle of October and there's 3 feet of heavy snow on the ground!

Aug 24, 2008
Mike Schlags (Captain Busy) Retd

Hey Tiger, Perhaps you've read some of my penning on the FFN these past few months. Anyone who shows concern and professionalism toward appropriate and correct grammar content is alright with me.

I have two agenda's, well may be three agenda's for my participation with the FFN.

1. Increase the fire services awareness toward the need to have fire medics trained in the recognition of hazmat wmd exposures to both our responders and the public. Most importantly is making sure that if one of our folks is exposed to something, we have the necessary training and antidotes to ensure that we all get to go home in the morning.

2. Share and learn from firefighters all over the world how to successfully deal with a WMD MCI event.

3. Provide a means for myself not to go nuts, post surgery on the knee, blew it out on a brushfire but I'm really close to getting back to the station again... Can't wait.

If this is of interest to you or if you could forward this to folks who are. I started a Hazmat WMD Responders Group on FFN to facilitate creating a place to put this important information. What I've learned from using the FFN these past few months is that not everyone (globally) has access to the kinds of information and training that USA firefighters have.

In that spirit, I think it's important to share with others...

Stay safe, Mike from Santa Barbara, CA

Aug 25, 2008
matthew

hey FC- 3 how are ya? whats the buzz

Aug 26, 2008
Mary Ellen Shea

me, paintball and a woods course. The possiblities are endless, and frightning.

Aug 29, 2008
LadyChaplain

Psssssssst. Your president is sleeping.

Aug 29, 2008
Mary Ellen Shea

Q. 1) I saw them at Saratoga PAC in July---second row. They're STILL great. One of the best shows I've seen EVER. Worth every penny. And a double header with the Doobie Bros.
Q. 2) NO, I was NOT raking leaves for your information Mr. Smarty Pants....I was deeply imbedded in sniper mode, and had I not lost my leg lock, I would have emerged victorious instead of bruised and humiliated. :(
Wanna play a woods course with a tree-challenged FOGIE?
And I jammed my gun in the first 60 seconds of play.

Aug 31, 2008
Bruce Mack

Tiger thanks for the catch in the descriptions, thats the problem with being computor challenged and no spell check. LMAO I have read some of your articles and would look forward to setting up a meeting to discuse the R&R issue

Sep 1, 2008
Dan Jardine

Hey tiger, when are you coming out to throw hay again? I promise you won't be thrown out of the loft. And on the more serious side thank you for the opportunity of testing for the SFI position. It was a different type of challenge for me. Any pointers for the future?

Sep 1, 2008
Mark Bernas

How'd they turn out for ya? I didn't do much in the way of editing, just shot pictures like a madman.

Sep 2, 2008
Jim Brunelle Jr.

Tiger,
Did you get the shirts and patches today?

Sep 2, 2008
james matthew smith

Whats up man thanks..Yeah thats a training fire in 2006....Haha that would be diesel fuel there.

Sep 4, 2008
james matthew smith

they r still there......were u not able to see them or what?

Sep 5, 2008
LadyChaplain

Tiger ~
My sincerest congratulations to the entire benefit committee. It was a great time, and I'm sure the money raised exceeded your expectations. Who would have thought? $45 for two pieces of pizza? $800 for a quilt? That truly says something about the fire service in our area. You guys did a wonderful job for Dennis. It took a lot of heart - but I'm sure it will be entirely worth it once the figures are done.

Awesome job~!

Ps - my mom loves the tupperware.

Sep 6, 2008
Dave, NB 9

Tiger..... LadyChaplain hit the nail on the head! YOU and all did a outstanding job. I was glad to be a part of helping a brother and his fire dept. I'll be there for you anytime!
and Oh, by the way..........

Jim Beam Baby!

Sep 7, 2008