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Mike

54, Male

Great Falls MT

United States

Profile Information:

Type of Organization: Fire/Rescue Department - Volunteer
Job Function: Firefighter / EMT-Basic
Years in Fire/EMS:: 4
Primary Fire/EMS Department:: Black Eagle Fire Department
Years With Department/Agency: 4
Dept. Web Site:: http://www.localfirehouse.com/department.php?deptid=1677
My Training:: High Angle Rescue, Low Angle Rescue, Swift Water Rescue, Water Rescue, Ice Rescue, EMT-B, CPR, Hazmat Awareness, Emergency Vehicle Technician, 1st Level Supervisor, Fleet Maintenance and Management, Personnel and Resource Management
About Me:: I spent 13 years as a fire apparatus mechanic for the Air Force. When I was promoted to TSgt I became a supervisor and could not play with fire trucks anymore. When I got to Montana I joined a volunteer fire department. I would love to be a career fire fighter when I retire shortly but with age limitations I am not sure that is possible.
Day Job:: Vehicle Fleet and Repair Manager
Relationship Status:: Single
Facebook or Other Online Profile:: http://www.myspace.com/firetruxrcool
Why I Joined Fire/EMS: Help people
Why I Love Fire/EMS: Helping people
Top Issues Facing Responders:: Keeping fire fighters from killing themselves from accidents and heart attacks

Comment Wall:

Load Previous Comments

Joel Swanson

Welcome to FFN, Mike!
Season's Greetings & Happy New Year to You!

Dec 29, 2007
shrek

hi mike from great falls are i live in libby i would be glad to swap patchs too

Jan 11, 2008
Nikki C. Saunders

Hey Mike, I am accepting your invitation for being a friend. Thanks!!! On your page there is someone else from Roundup, MT. Who else is from Roundup. Well, we had our first big fire for this year. Yesterday. Approx. 1000 acres. Started from a coal bed vein. Just goes to show how dry we really are. Anyways, hope to hear from you soon. Got to go for now.

Jan 12, 2008
Bonnie

You are right. I do look kind of angry! Lol. I will work on that. Be safe and have a good week!

Jan 13, 2008
Nikki C. Saunders

We will have to get together sometime and I willl show you our trucks. We have 3 type 6's and 1 tender and a water truck. We have a new barn. it's about 21/2 years old, but, it holds all of our trucks and equipment. My office is also now in the new barn. I probably shouldn't do this, but, if you want give me a call on my cell sometime. 860-7393. Give me a call and I can get our chief, my old man, and myself to meet you out there on day. I suppose I had better get going. Talk to you soon.

Jan 14, 2008
Jill

That is our tanker. If you want to see our other apparatus go to wiconiscofire.com. Thanks for the comment. And thanks for liking the tanker.

Jan 14, 2008
Willard "Wolf" Chauvin,Jr.

Hi Mike!Yea I've been to Alexandria a few times.My son went to La.College in Pineville for 1 semester on a soccer ticket.

Jan 14, 2008
Jill

Wow I didn't know that. Thanks! So how are you doing?

Jan 15, 2008
Firegal77

Hey there! It's nice to see a face from home! :o) How is the Big Sky treatin ya? I am in DE now, but my heart is never far from Montana...I grew up there. Take care!

Jan 15, 2008
Justin Payne

just wanted to was up

Jan 23, 2008
Justin Payne

im sorry im ment to say was up

Jan 23, 2008
James

hey, to answer your question about the turret, it allows us to defend ourselves in a combat situiation. not only can the turret man put water on the fire but he can also engage the enemy if need be.

Feb 5, 2008
cowgirlmedic

haha :) yup there is... and in Montana I see :)

Feb 15, 2008
cowgirlmedic

aw thanks. well if not going to the bars, summer i spend camping, fall well hunting of course and the winter it's ski time :) There's not a whole lot to do in Gillette so usually have to travel to either the big horns or the black hills.. and what do you do for fun....

Feb 16, 2008
cowgirlmedic

MySpace Comments & MySpace Layouts

Feb 20, 2008
Nadia

Yes, i am firewoman. Thank you for add

Feb 21, 2008
Paul

Hey Mike congrats on the job in Iraq! I am also looking to be hired in Iraq/Afghanistan, have all the necessary certs/EMT etc., do you mind sharing who you are going to work for, pay, etc.? Thanks Man, and hey whether you have time to respond, Good Luck!!!

Feb 23, 2008
Paul

Hi Mike, Lompoc is good, I have been here since I was 16 (off and on) so I am pretty settled in, like the moderate weather and surrounding areas. You must have known Mark Farris (I think that's his name) he was head fire dept. mechanic for a long time...did such a bang up job they ended promoting him to head of transportation! Good guy! I probably knew you too, lots of brain cells have bit the dust since then! lol. I was under the impression that you had landed a job w/WSI in Iraq, did that fall thru? WOW, 188K, I guess you couldn"t take it because you were in the military then? Its a small world isn't it? Let me know what happened w/the job, as I said I have all the necessary certs but you never know until its a done deal! You can e-mail direct:fire1888@hotmail.com

Feb 23, 2008
Mike

I knew Mark Farias as one of the fire department guys. I think he is Deputy Chief now. Randy Farley was a civilian fire truck mechanic while I was there and now he is the Vehicle Management Flight Chief. Both are really great people I really enjoyed working with. I could not take the job because I was military and I dont retire until Jan 2009. I plan on looking for something while I am in Iraq. I really would like to be a fire fighter but like I said in my profile at 37 not too many paid departments would hire me. I am hoping the mechanical background combined with the 5 or so years as volunteer help though.

Feb 23, 2008
AVI LAP

Hi,
You Are more then welcome to join Police Facebook - Worldwide Social Network for active and retired law enforcement officers, Volunteers & supporters.
http://www.policefacebook.com/
Avi Lap

Feb 25, 2008
Kimberly A. Beatty

Nice to see a fellow Montana Firefighter! I started a group called Firefighters of Montana, thought it would be fun to get to know the other locals ;) Come join?

Feb 28, 2008
cowgirlmedic

MySpace Graphics & MySpace Layouts

Mar 3, 2008
boots

Loved the comment! Thanks, I needed that! LOL!

Mar 3, 2008
Melody Anne

Thanks...

Mar 5, 2008
Mary Ellen Shea

thanks Mike,
Ladders was the one thing I was truly worried about as far as becoming a firefighter is concerned....I'm really happy that it turned out to be a non-issue for me.
I suppose I could have become a pump operator/driver, but where's the fun in that?

Mar 14, 2008
Mary Ellen Shea

Thanks Mike, I think it all boils down to the fact that you just don't know what you're capable of until you're facing the fire (literally and figuratively)--
I'm surprising myself and growing as a person, in so many ways--I truly wish I'd done this years ago, but I'm loving it now.

Mar 14, 2008
Tiger Schmittendorf

Real good Mike. Real good.

Thanks for supporting Mel's efforts with Team in Training.

Stay safe. Train often.

Apr 10, 2008
Dave, NB 9

Mike - Wow !

My first words to you, from me, THANK YOU.

As My wife and Brianna sit and read about what you have done, I can't help to think back to those days of hell my daughter went thru and to have strangers come out of no where to support us. My Family and I are truly touched by your generosity to Mel, to help her, help others that are and were in my shoes. (Mel will be in sneakers). This definitely proves the Brotherhood is alive and well and there are alot of good people out there in this messed up world.

Again, Thank You from the bottom of our hearts!!

Apr 10, 2008
FireCat

Mike,
You have a big heart!!!! Please be safe out there hun!
Cat :-)

Apr 10, 2008
Mary Ellen Shea

I hope you're feeling the love Mike. We're all sending it out to you.

I'll take a closeup photo of your name next to Brianna's on my race jersey on race day and email it to you.
You're an amazing person.
xo
Mel

Apr 10, 2008
Bob Allard

Hello Mike,

Welcome aboard, its people like you that make this a great group

Apr 12, 2008
Mary Ellen Shea

Thanks for the reading suggestions. I made my goal partly due to you.....did you get the note I sent you?
Now it's up to me to finish the run.....I'll finish on my elbows if I have to......
You rock Mike....seriously.
If you ever find your way to NY your first ten beers are on me.
:)

May 23, 2008
Mary Ellen Shea

oh, and by the way, your name is getting written in Sharpie on my right arm, and Ed Spence's name on my left arm.
I'll email you the pics post-race.

May 23, 2008
Mary Ellen Shea

ehhh.....don't put the halo on me yet.....

Thanks for your kind words, and for your support---check out the pics I posted from the race, your name was on my race shirt.
Yup, you still rock.

Jun 18, 2008
Mary Ellen Shea

and thanks for defending my Cairns New Yorker honor.
:)

Jul 4, 2008
The God and Goddess

MyHotComments

Jul 23, 2008
Mary Ellen Shea

Hey Mike,
Glad you liked the blog; I've been reading yours about Iraq (although not commenting, but reading with great interest).
Please stay low, stay safe, and come home soon.
Wish I could have figured out a way to send you a plate full of that dinner we prepared, but I don't think gravy travels well.
:)
Mel

Nov 6, 2008
Mary Ellen Shea

and a VERY belated happy birthday to you!

Nov 6, 2008
Wendy Jo

How r you doing? Havent heard from you since your last email. let me know you are still ok!!

Dec 16, 2008
Wendy Jo

Glad to hear you will be home soon and that you are safe...lets keep it that way. Just know we are thinking about you. HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Jan 1, 2009
Patience Ryan

Good morning from Washington State.

Jan 9, 2009
Patience Ryan

it's starting to melt finally. though that includes the flooding that comes with melting a lot of snow. On the other side of the state things are apparently pretty bad with most of the passes closed and part of I-5 under water among others. How are things in Qatar?

Jan 9, 2009
Mary Ellen Shea

self-actualization? You're confusing the knuckle -draggers.
:)

Jan 16, 2009
Patience Ryan

Old man winter was here while you were on the other side of the world. :) He might show back up again, so I wouldn't return the new coat just yet. Though i have been enjoying the break from the falling snow. 80+ inches in 3 weeks is just a bit much all at once. how's Montana? eastern Washington is currently under a stagnant air warning. I suppose I should be glad it's a change from winter weather warnings.

Jan 19, 2009
Mary Ellen Shea

Hey gorgeous (two can play that game) --thanks for popping in and for having my back.
xo
Mel

Jan 28, 2009
Patience Ryan

hey Mike, how's the weather in Montana this week? did you find my pictures alright?
Patience

Jan 30, 2009
Patience Ryan

good to hear you're enjoying the weather. your opinion does mean something, thank you. I don't often get complements. how was your family time?

Feb 3, 2009
Patience Ryan

my family is a bit nuts too. but what can you do besides love them? can't fix them :) not that I'd want to even if I could, most of the time anyway. there are a few quarks that drive me nuts but it keeps life....interesting. are you all getting snow out of that system that hit us last night?

Feb 7, 2009
Mary Ellen Shea

For you? Anything.

Glad I could entertain. Hope you're doing well. Are you still in Iraq?

Mar 1, 2009
Mary Ellen Shea

Glad you're home. You should come to Lake Placid for the run

Mar 1, 2009