Type of Organization

Fire/Rescue Department - Paid

Job Function

Firefighter / Paramedic (or Other ALS)

Years in Fire/EMS:

8

Primary Fire/EMS Department:

Amherst Fire Department

Years With Department/Agency

Since December '05

Dept. Web Site:

http://www.amherstfirefighters.org

Other Past or Current Departments and Organizations

Private Service EMS

My Training:

BA from UMass, Amherst. Paramedic from GCC. Mass Fire Academy. Other random courses.

About Me:

Married father of two.

Day Job:

Dad / Firefighter / Paramedic

Relationship Status:

Married

Facebook or Other Online Profile:

http://www.firememorials.com

Why I Joined Fire/EMS

I got my EMT while in college just for fun. When I graduated, I got a job on an ambulance because I wasn't sure what I wanted to do. After working for a year, decided to get my Paramedic. From there, I decided I was interested in the Fire side of it.

Why I Love Fire/EMS

I've worked behind a desk and couldn't do it for 30 years.

Top Issues Facing Responders:

Firefighter (and EMS) safety.
Community Relations. We must present ourselves as competent and educated professionals if we expect the public to support us. We must also work to educate the public about what it is we do. Every one of us know that there's more to this job than aiming a hose at a fire, but we do not do enough to educate the public.