Ed Cate

Male

Knoxville, TN

United States

Profile Information:

Type of Organization
Fire/Rescue Department - Paid
Job Function
Firefighter / Paramedic (or Other ALS)
Years in Fire/EMS:
30
Primary Fire/EMS Department:
City of Oak Ridge
Years With Department/Agency
6 yrs
Other Past or Current Departments and Organizations
Tennesse Task Force 3
US&R
My Training:
Fire Instructor
Paramedic
US&R Task Force Leader
Relationship Status:
Married
Why I Joined Fire/EMS
I grew up next to a fire station and that was all that I ever wanted to do. At 16 I joined the explorer post and other than being in the military thats all I have done
Top Issues Facing Responders:
Pay and training

Comment Wall:

  • Jim aka Bick

    JUST DROPPING BY TO SAY WELCOME TO FFN. I AM SURE YOU WILL ENJOY THE SITE.YOU CAN ADD ME AS A FRIEND IF YOU WANT TO, AND BE SAFE OUT THERE

    Apr 24, 2008

  • Ben Waller

    Haaaaay, Ed, what's up in K-town?
    I'm hoping to get a Gatlinburg-Knoxville weekend for at least on UT game this fall - if I make it I'll give you a shout prior to the trip.
    Maybe I'll get a chance to see you.

    Do you ever see Todd Derrick? If so, tell him that I said "hello".
    I used to work with him in McMinn County when ETEMS was still around. We had a blast working together.

    Tell everyone at KVRS hello for me as well.

    I see Kristen "Tater" and Criswell at TARS swiftwater classes, but that's about it. Are any of the old farts like Waldo, Rick Harrington, Wormy, or John Yu still around?

    Stay safe, brother.

    Benny

    Jun 17, 2008

  • Ben Waller

    Ed,

    Randy O has been the Fire Chief in Florence, SC for about 3 months.
    He is too good to not be the chief somewhere. He was a finalist for our chief's job, but the other deputy chief was promoted. I knew it was just a matter of time until he left. Diane and their kids are still living here, and she's still the Nurse Manager of our ED, but that won't last long now that school is out.

    I was promoted to Battalion Chief right before Christmas.
    I'm the Training Chief for all fire, EMS, rescue, and hazmat.
    It's a pretty daunting job, because we have 7 stations but play like we have 40. We run one of the state COBRA WMD teams, the regional hazmat team, a dive team, and are the only SC regional USAR team that's not operated out of a major municipal area.

    I'm completely swamped with projects, special ops, and running the occasional wreck or fire, but life is never boring here.

    My family loves it, so life is good.

    It's good to hear from you, brother.
    Take care,
    Benny

    Jun 18, 2008