Type of Organization

Fire/Rescue Department - Volunteer

Job Function

Lieutenant

Years in Fire/EMS:

22

Primary Fire/EMS Department:

Hondo Fire and Rescue

Years With Department/Agency

18 years

My Training:

Critical Care Paramedic, Firefighter Paramedic, Special Rescue Operations, Heavy Rescue, High-angle Rescue (low-angle rescue also), Swift water and open water rescue, Recue swimmer, Haz Mat Operations, Wild land Firefighter, Urban interface, Backcountry / Wilderness Paramedic, Tactical Paramedic, Operations Chief - State Emergency Operations Center, Instructor Coordinator and then some.

Day Job:

New Mexico Dept. of Health, EMS Bureau, Prog. Dev., State EMS Inspector

Relationship Status:

Married

Why I Joined Fire/EMS

I have a natural element that was pointed out to me by a couple of Firefighter/ Paramedics after watching me take care of two people that had been run down by a drunk driver while on a motorcycle. Both people were critical and had fatal injuries. I kept them alive until fire and ems arrived and transported. It was a messy scene and I was not able to identify the people and did not have time to look. When I went by the Hospital to get some scrubs to change into, I found out who they were. Two very close friends of mine that were on their way to see me. Both died. the drunk driver kept going and hid his truck in his garage and pretended nothing happened. This was a part of my beginning

Why I Love Fire/EMS

I love what I do.

Top Issues Facing Responders:

Professionalism