What State do you live in?

NY

Type of Organization

Other

Job Function

Assistant Chief/Deputy Chief

Years in Fire/EMS:

12

Primary Fire/EMS Department:

Assn. Aux - Vol Firefighters, West Lawrence, NY

Years With Department/Agency

12

Other Past or Current Departments and Organizations

Member:
Congressional Fire Service Institute
Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Response Assoc., Intl.
Fire Dept. Safety Officers Assoc.
Firefighter & EMS Foundation
Firefighters For Christ
Firemen's Assoc. State of New York
Friends of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation
National Assoc. Emergency Medical Technicians
National Assoc. of Fire Investigators
National Assoc. For Search And Rescue
National Assoc. of Hispanic Firefighters
National Vol. Fire Council
New York Retired Vol. Firefighters Assoc.
New York State Assoc. of Fire Chief's
New York State Vol. Ambulance and Rescue Assoc.
New Jersey and New York Vol. Firemen's Assoc.
Southern New York Vol. Firemen's Assoc.
Volunteer Firefighter Alliance

My Training:

Active Shooter Awareness
Alternative Fuel Vehicles
Amateur Radio - Technician
Anaphylaxis Awareness
Anhydrous Ammonia Awareness
Alzheimers Awareness
Asthma Awareness
Autism Awareness
Basic Hazmat Life Support
Behavioral Health for the Fire and Emergency Services
Bloodborne Pathogens
BLS Health Care Provider
Boating Safety
Burn Care - Pre - Hospital Provider
Cancer Awareness
CEVO 3 - Ambulance
CEVO 3 - Fire
Chemical Suicide Awareness for First Responders
Child Abuse Reporting
Chlorine Safety
Community Emergency Response Team
Confined Space - Awareness
Core Disaster Life Support
County Animal Response Team
Courage to Be Safe
Crime Scene Awareness
Crude By Rail Emergency Response
Developmental Disabilities Awareness
Effective Fire Dept. Leader
Electric Vehicle Safety Awareness
Electrical Safety
Elder Abuse Awareness
EmComm - Level 2
Emergency Oxygen Administration
Emergency Responder Health Monitoring and Surveillance Awareness
Emergency Response to Terrorism
Emergency Services Risk Reduction Program
Energy Storage Systems Safety
Epilepsy and Seizure Response
Ethanol Emergency Response
FEMA EMI Professional Development Series
Fire Ground Accountability
Fire Ground Survival Awareness
Firefighter Bail Out System
Fire Service Ethics
First Aid- Basic
Flood Cleanup Awareness
HazCom/Right To Know
HazMat- Operations
HazMat Security Awareness
Highway Safety for Emergency Service Personnel
Healthcare Ergonomics
HIPPA
Human Trafficking Awareness
Hydrogen Safety
Incident Safety Officer Series
Infection Control
Injury Prevention on the Fire Ground
Is Your Department at its B.E.S.T.?
Leadership, Accountability, Culture and Knowledge
Leadership for the Fire and Emergency Services
LNG Awareness Emergency Response
Machinery Rescue Awareness
Managing A Modern & Effective Fire Dept.
National Safety Culture Change Initiative
National Traffic Incident Management
Natural Gas Safety
NFIRS
NIMS/ICS
Opioid Overdose and Naloxone Administration
Partnering For Prevention
Passenger Train Emergency Response
People with Disabilities Awareness
Pet First Aid and CPR
Pipeline Emergencies - Awareness
POV Safety Operation
Preparing Workplaces for Covid-19
Preventing and Coping with Suicide in the Fire and Emergency Services
Propane Emergencies
Pyschological First Aid
Rad/Nuc Awareness
Railroad Emergency Response HazMat Awareness
Railroad Safety Awareness
Responding To Utility Emergencies Awareness
Responding To Violent Incidents
Safety Tops Our Priorities
SARTECH III
Sexual Harassment Awareness
Skywarn Spotter
Solar PV Safety for Firefighters
Stop The Bleed
Stress First Aid for Fire and EMS Personnel
Stroke Awareness
Structural Collapse Awareness
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
Surface Ice Rescue - Awareness
Suspicious Activity Reporting Fire - EMS
Swift Water Rescue - Awareness
Taking Care of Our Own
Train The Recruiter
Transgender Issues Awareness
Understanding and Utilizing International Fire Code
Wildland Fire Assessment Program
WMD/T Awareness
Numerous DHS/FEMA, Red Cross, USFA/NFA Certifications
Numerous firematic seminars and workshops

About Me:

I am a Deputy Chief, now retired after 12 yrs, with the Assn. Aux - Vol Firefighters in West Lawrence, NY, serving on a volunteer fire disaster response team and a ceremonial unit. The AAVF having disbanded, in early 2021 and ceased operations due to staff shortage. It had existed for 31 years, proudly serving the community of West Lawrence in Far Rockaway. I was a 9/11 volunteer with NYC Transit. I have also volunteered, with the following organizations: American Red Cross Greater NY, NYC Animal Care Control, NYC CB 12 Community Emergency Response Team, and the NYC Medical Reserve Corps.

Day Job:

Retired

Relationship Status:

Married

Why I Joined Fire/EMS

After volunteering at Ground Zero on the pile, I felt that I needed to do more to help out the next time another disaster occurs. I then became involved in disaster response as a volunteer with several organizations. In 2009, I joined the fire service. Though I am now retired, I am ever so grateful, that I was able to serve those in their time of need and give back to the community.

Why I Love Fire/EMS

I love being a part of the fire service, because it is truly a brotherhood, proud in tradition, and always there to serve.

Top Issues Facing Responders:

Top issues that I feel are facing responders in the volunteer fire service are, recruitment and retention. Also the lack of funding for updated equipment, supplies and training is especially hard, on smaller departments.