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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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LadyChaplain

Nice headline... wonder where it came from.

Sep 8, 2008
LadyChaplain

Sep 8, 2008
Capt. Jack

Nice pics with the Beamer girls huh..........
Uncle Jack

Sep 9, 2008
Jeff Sweetland

Sep 11, 2008
Capt. Jack

My other hand...... notice the smile on her face. Just rememmber, the older the violin, the sweeter the music

Sep 11, 2008
Peter Lupkowski

I saw your old post on the PA group and wanted to offer my two cents. The "older" set made fun of the whole roll with it attempt. The kids I talked to after seeing a trailer in the movie theater were all excited about it. We had a total of three people come in after seeing it in the movies. One is now an EMT and occasional volunteer. The other two are unknowns.
I can answer any other questions that you may have.
PA has a new "traditional" website now. http://www.pa-ems.org/ take a look.
Pete

Sep 18, 2008
Kimberly A. Beatty

Did as you asked... sorry bout that hon.

Sep 19, 2008
Kimberly A Bownas

Hey Tiger, thanks for the shirt. I love it... :o)

Sep 21, 2008
Jim Brunelle Jr.

Hey Tiger,
How'd that auction go. Been wondering how it turned out. Just been super busy.

Sep 23, 2008
Kimberly A Bownas

LOL, yes the probie did get his shirt.....

Sep 23, 2008
Dave, NB 9

Jethro Tull > Rumble in the Jungle for $1000

Sep 25, 2008
Dave, NB 9

Your new shirt with the Fire Marshal Bill hat

Sep 25, 2008
Dave, NB 9

Sep 27, 2008
Walt

No I didn't take them. I am in them. The person takes photos for a lot of departments in the area. He has a website, I will find out what is for you and e-mail it. Stay safe.

Walt

Sep 30, 2008
Tom Chmielowiec Jr.

thanks tiger

Oct 1, 2008
Dave, NB 9

Is that your new ride? In knew the County was cutting budgets, but.....

Oct 3, 2008
Kimberly A Bownas

Nice Truck there Tiger. I like it...

Oct 4, 2008
Shawn

Amazing pictures! Beautiful!

Oct 15, 2008
Shawn

Sorry...I was referring to the photos of the cabin...cottage...home??? Either way, the views of the surrounding area are great and the actual "house" looks wonderful. Reminds me of my in-laws cottage in NW Pa.

Oct 16, 2008
Michael Whitby

Do you have a video of us pulling up w/the medic and engine as well? I think that would speak a thousand words when I tell the story to fellow fire/ems personnel. I think we still need to find them a tanker, more hand tools, gas monitors, TICs, etc. to out fit their new engine and to help Finnish out fitting their old one. As you know, we still need a lot of ems related stuff to out fit the medic. I am continually looking and talking to people in this area to try to get things for OFD. Many want to help and are looking and trying to find a way to donate items. I talked to a couple of friends of mine, and they are willing to donate a mini light bar or two and/or a couple of sirens too. They were planning on trying to sell them, but after I told them our story, they wanted to donate them! I will continue to keep giving my best effort until they have the best dept. they can be, and get on their feet (so to speak). Have a good day!

Oct 16, 2008
Michael Whitby

Could you try emailing me the video as an attachment?
mwhitby@firehousemail.com
I would greatly appreciate it.

Oct 16, 2008
LadyChaplain

Oct 17, 2008
Joel C Kelley

Tiger, How does one actually get an engine donated to one's department? Our Volunteer Department has an annual budget of only $2000, which doesn't even cover pagers. Our county is loaning us a GMC type IV forestry engine, great for forestry but totally unsuited for structural applications. We really need a structural pumper to hold us until we can develop a better budget and begin writing grants. Tell me what you know so I can help my department!

Oct 17, 2008
Dave, NB 9

Oh, Sure... Ask Crotty to call ya........ so - what should we call ya? Fire Marshall Bill? _ Let me tell ya somethin...........

Thanks again for Tuesday.

Oct 17, 2008
Christian

Thanx Tiger. I like those too.

Oct 18, 2008
Barbara Nelson

Hey, It's been awhile. I have been busy. This weekend I spent taking the ICS 300 and next weekend I am taking me ICS 400. I already have my 100 & 200 also the 700. Have to keep training to stay safe. I'm also working on a cadet program for our district. Not to mention all the pub in the schools this month. We have 4 schools k through 4, & 5 pre-schools am and pm classes. I do enjoy teaching the children. well better go.

Oct 21, 2008
Kimberly A Bownas

Hey Tiger, it was great to finally meet you in person. You did a great job. I even mentioned to Mel about talking to Ted and maybe having you do a presentation down here in our neck of the woods. Hope you got home safe and talk to you later.

Oct 26, 2008
Kimberly A Bownas

That would be great. I will talk to the powers that be, which for the most part is Ted and see what I can do. I will tell him. Definitely training is important...

Oct 27, 2008
Jim Brunelle Jr.

Tiger,
Yeah was a messed up night,would love to have ya come up sometime.We have a couple small but cool paintball fields up here.
Or maybe I can get Fasny to bring you up to our house sometime. Have to check my connections!!!!!!

Oct 28, 2008
Jim Brunelle Jr.

BY the way super job on that presentation,really liked how you involved the attendees. As well as the Presentation itself.Top Notch!

Oct 28, 2008
Tiger Schmittendorf

Whattya saying? He was raised by wolves in the wilderness?

Oct 29, 2008
Jim Brunelle Jr.

Not sucking up people, just know a good presenter and a great seminar when I see them. Just looking out for my people.Tring to get them as much knowledge and info as possible.
Always looking to have the edge!

Oct 30, 2008
LadyChaplain

...i start driver training this week.

Oct 30, 2008
LadyChaplain

As you should be lol. Last night I jokingly asked my captain when he's taking me out for my first session and he's like "If Tuesday works for you..." I was a happy kid :-)

Oct 31, 2008
Wendy Norris

Hey Tiger- Are you able to send out emails to everyone on Firefighter Nation?

Nov 2, 2008
Wendy Norris

Thanks Tiger...for some reason I was having a hard time trying to find his email. I was having issues that evening! LOL

Nov 5, 2008
LadyChaplain

Dearest Savior of FASNY/Owner of the R&R Toolbox ~

Oh yes, my birthday was a blast -- from what I can remember. KIDDING. It was fun... on the actual B-day, I spent some time with my biological mother (imagine that!) and then that weekend had a grand ol' bonfire in the 35degree temperatures of Lancaster.

And yes, you missed how freaking adorable my little pumpkin and grape were. Although I don't think they'll be getting in those costumes again 'til next year. I'll be sure to post when they get their pictures taken with Santa Claus though - that will be something to see :-).

And don't miss me too much... ya never know when I might stop by... I see that the shredding pile is getting up there. I knew you guys couldn't function without me!!!!!!!!!!

OH and lest I forget... hard cider is amazing, not like you need to be told - but I figured I'd let ya know that you were a bad influence upon me.

Well now it's time to go back to bed with the dogs for a few more hours............ hasta.

Nov 7, 2008
Mark Bernas

Hey, Tiger, thanks... let me know if I can ever help you out with that.

Nov 15, 2008
Dave Statter

Hi Tiger,

Thanks for finding me. If you ever want to write one of your articles for STATter 911, I will be glad to publish it. I should warn you, as I have others, our budget is such we can only offer twice as much as your local VFD is paying.

Dave
STATter911.com
dstatter@wusa9.com

Nov 16, 2008
Christopher Hebert

Yeah up until last week it would not have been good to have a profile on a "competitive" website, thus it took me a year to sign-up.

I would consider it both an adventure and a venture, but I think in the world of business a new venture is always an adventure. I am extremely excited and think you will start to see some good things come from us.

How have you been? I see Dave Statter hijacked your page here and is crying poverty...something tells me the news business is far better equipped to compensate fine authors such as yourself with each contribution. I say you charge him three times as much..LOL

Stay in touch, and be safe!!

Nov 17, 2008
LadyChaplain

Hey,
Nice piece on the news the other day. There's a new slime-dog joint in my hood. Maybe that's where you'll get your freebie lunch.

Nov 18, 2008
Morris

hello sir
I am a firefighter from Romania and i think you can help me in a way.
Send me your e-mail adress to mafirefighter@gmail.com and i will send you back some picture with our fire equpment.
Thank you very much
God Bless You

Nov 19, 2008
Leo Cartwright

Hi there Tiger; Leo from Australia, Paramedic, Welcome to FFN hope U enjoy the site and gather many friends during your stay.
If U are interested and If U send me your postal address via my Email I will post you one of my State Ambulance Service Badges, (patch) for exchange of one of your service patches,
My Email is lecar1@bigpond.net.au (LECAR1@BIGPOND.NET.AU)

Cheers Leo

Nov 19, 2008
Barbara Nelson

Hey, Been a while I may be hitting you up for some help. I am starting a cadet program in our district. I may need some advice. You are my fountain of knowlage. You have a lot of great information. Thanks

Nov 21, 2008
LadyChaplain

Free Comments and Graphics

Nov 26, 2008
Mick Mayers

Wow. nice blog (not that this one isn't nice, but,WOW. Did I say that again?). Dave did THAT for you? I'm jealous...

Of course I'll link, once I figure that out (actually, I can manage that).

Nov 28, 2008
LadyChaplain

Dec 3, 2008
Tom Chmielowiec Jr.

Hey Tiger, when is the new winter course schedual coming out for the state/county? I need more training! my brain is going with out it!
Junior
Omnis Cedo Domus

Dec 7, 2008
LadyChaplain

I have some real intelligent dogs... Sox got himself stuck IN the bathroom today.

Dec 12, 2008
Aussie_Wildfire

You should make a sales pitch to these guys
http://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/incidents/incident_summary.htm
Good luck you have some interesting ideas

Dec 24, 2008