Type of Organization

Combination Fire Rescue Department

Job Function

Firefighter

Years in Fire/EMS:

16

Primary Fire/EMS Department:

Cabin John Park VFD (Former member)

Years With Department/Agency

7

Dept. Web Site:

http://www.CJPVFD.COM

Web Site:

http://www.CarrollManorfire.com

Other Past or Current Departments and Organizations

Member of the Upper Montgomery County VFD for 3 yrs while with my primary dept CJPVFD. Joined the UMCVFD to help out my hometown dept do the the low number of volunteers at the time.

About Me:

I'm a 32 years old Vol who just finishing up my 15th year as a volunteer. I joined the CABIN JOHN PARK VFD on my 16th birthday where I'm carring on the family tradition on my dads side where along with my cousin I am part of the 3rd generation firefighter. My grandfather started as a volunteer FF and then became the fone of the first paid firefighters with the Cabin John Park VFD. My grandmother is a 40+ year Ladies Aux Member with the CJPVFD, My Dad and uncle started their service with the CJPVFD as volunteer, my father also went on to be a career Firefighter with the Montgomery County F/R Service where he retired as a Capt with 28 yrs of service and continues to be a volunteer today. My unlce contiues to be a member of the CJPVFD now service again as the President of the CJPVFD. My cousin spent yrs at CJPVFD as a Vol. FF as well as awith a few othwer depts and now is a career FF with the Naval District of Washington FD. Within my family I also have 2 cousins who also joined the Fire/Rescue Service with one now a nurse and the other a career Firefighter with the Montgomery County F/R Service and recently was ppromoted to a Lt assigned to the 3rd Battalion.

There is nothing I enjoy or love more then serving my community and others as a vol. FF.

Day Job:

Owner/Operator of a Lawn Care/ Landscaping Company

Relationship Status:

In a Relationship

Why I Joined Fire/EMS

It is in my blood, its a family tradition so I grow up around it and there is nothing better in this world then being a firefighter. Its an advanture, its a choice, its a way of life, its touching peoples lives when they are in need the most. Way wouldn't you do it...

Top Issues Facing Responders:

Most importantly is Staffing for safe operations. Yes Fighting fires is a dangerous job but why make it worse by cutting staffing or not being able to provide the approperite staffing from the start.

The second thing is funding. I've been lucky to be a member of a dept in a "rich" county and who's first due is full of the Washington D.C area's rich & famous where money was no object...Then I've also been a member of a dept where you had a fund raiser every week just to keep the lights on in the firehouse and apparatus on the roads. Duct tape became a everyday fix all around there.

With the threat of Terrorist acts and threats a part of daily life, Our first responders are going to be front and center and need all the resources and funding they can get to not only provide daily Fire & Rescue Service but also be prepaired for this threats.

Some depts are barely able to keep their members protected with the proper PPE, apparatus fueled and in working condition and the lights on at the firehouse, So funding for other Fire/Rescue related services or national emergencys are the last thing they can afford.