What State do you live in?

GA

Type of Organization

Other

Job Function

Other

Years in Fire/EMS:

35

Primary Fire/EMS Department:

n/a

Years With Department/Agency

n/a

Web Site:

http://www.kearsargefire.org/

Other Past or Current Departments and Organizations

DeKalb County Fire-Rescue; Decatur, GA
Kearsarge FD; Erie, PA
Erie Co. Haz-Mat Team; Erie, PA
Perry Hi-Way Hose; Erie, PA
U.S. Air Force - Fire Protection (numerous bases world-wide)
Lake Shore FD; Erie, PA

My Training:

Firefighter II; Fire Instructor II; Fire Inspector I; Fire Officer III; Hazardous Materials Technician; Airport Firefigher; Instructor Emeritus-PA State Fire Academy; Member - Insitution of Fire Engineers & Society of Fire Protection Engineers. AHA-BLS HeartSaver Instructor; OSHA 501 General Industry Instructor; Certified Safety Specialist; Certified Safety Instructor; Certified Hazardous Materials Supervisor.

About Me:

I've been in the fire service since 1972. Started as a volunteer in NW Pennsylvania, outside of Erie. Went in the USAF as a Fire Protection Specialist in 1976, and did 12 years, going all the way to Fire Chief. Came back to PA, went back into the volunteer fire service and also county haz-mat team. Left PA for the south in 2002. Worked at Univ. of GA as a Fire Inspector, at the DHS Center for Domestic Preparedness as Asst. Safety Manager and DeKalb County Fire Rescue in metro Atlanta as a Fire Protection Engineer. My most recent position was as a Fire Protection Engineer with a DoE contractor at their Savannah river Site. I am an Instructor Emertius with the PA State Fire Academy having taught 25 years for them. Hold a Bachelor's Degree in Fire & Safety Engineering Technology and a Master's Degree in Emergency Management.

Day Job:

Fire Protection Engineer

Relationship Status:

Married

Why I Joined Fire/EMS

To protect my community

Why I Love Fire/EMS

Being able to make the world (or at least my community) a little safer.

Top Issues Facing Responders:

Lack of funding; lack of manpower in the volunteer side; too many missions with insufficient resources.