Type of Organization

Fire/Rescue Department - Volunteer

Job Function

Training Officer, Firefighter / EMT-Basic

Years in Fire/EMS:

25

Primary Fire/EMS Department:

Osceola Fire Department - Osceola, PA

Years With Department/Agency

2

Other Past or Current Departments and Organizations

Wellsboro Fire Department, Inc. - Original home department 10 yrs.
North Corning Fire Department - Corning, NY - 2 yrs.
Forest View Gang Mills Fire Department - Painted Post, NY - 2 yrs.
Tioga Volunteer Fire Company - Tioga, PA - 6 yrs.
Elkland Borough Fire Department - Elkland, PA - 9 yrs.
Osceola Fire Department - Osceola, PA - (Current Member 2 years)

My Training:

AAS Degree - Fire Protection Technology - Corning Community Coll.
NPQS Firefighter I, II, III (PA)
NPQS Fire Instructor I (PA)
NPQS Fire Officer I (PA)
NPQS/IFSAC Incident Safety Officer (PA)
PA State Fire Academy Local Level Instructor
NIMS 100, 200, 300, 400, 700, 800

About Me:

I'm a 25 year veteran of the Pennsylvania volunteer fire service with a diverse background in fire suppression, EMS, rescue, and incident management.

I owe a lot of my fire service education to a former Fire Chief and mentor, John E. Dugan of Wellsboro, PA, where I entered the fire service at age 18.

I gained many wonderful years of experience as a member of my home department (Wellsboro Fire Department), and benefitted greatly from many other opportunites in volunteer, career, and paid-call Fire and EMS positions both in PA and NY.

I served as Deputy Fire Coordinator for Tioga County, PA from 2000 to 2005, and have been an active State Fire Instructor since 1992.

Day Job:

Special Education Teacher Aide

Relationship Status:

Married

Why I Joined Fire/EMS

Childhood dream to be a "fireman" led me into my adult years by becoming a volunteer firefighter, EMT, instructor, county coordinator, and administrator.

Why I Love Fire/EMS

Knowing that I can help make some sort of a positive difference/influence in other people's lives no matter what the situation is...

Top Issues Facing Responders:

SAFETY EDUCATION - Creating a culture and mindset that our job is important, but not as important as coming home safely and intact from every call...

GETTING BACK TO THE BASICS - Developing firefighters with good decision-making skills to know when a situation is bad, or may potentially be bad...and making the right choice as to risk vs. benefit.