Type of Organization

Fire/Rescue Department - Volunteer

Job Function

Captain, EMT - Paramedic (or Other ALS)

Years in Fire/EMS:

10 yrs in Fire and 6 yrs as a Paramedic

Primary Fire/EMS Department:

Union Road VFD, Gastonia NC

Years With Department/Agency

10 yrs with Union Rd VFD and 1 yr with Charlotte FD

Dept. Web Site:

http://Unionroadvfd.com

Other Past or Current Departments and Organizations

I work P/T for Gaston EMS as a EMT-Paramedic

My Training:

NC FF I AND II
NC EMT-Paramedic
NC Haz-Mat Opps.
NC Driver Opperator
NC OSFM High angle rescue
NC OSFM Cell Tower rescue
NC Rescue Technician
Swift Water Rescue Advance

About Me:

I started as a Vol. when I was 20 yrs old at URVFD and made it up through the ranks and am now a Captain. I was voted FD firefighter of the year for 2003 and nominated for the County and state firefighter of the year for 2003. I currently am over Fire prevention and public education for my dept. I handle all the B-day partys and fire prevention week activities.
I started in EMS 6 yrs ago as a new EMT-B and after working P/T for GEMS I recieved my EMT- Paramedic Cert. and started working F/T for them. After 5 yrs working I got the oppurtunity I had been waiting for. I was hired on at Charlotte FD in January 2007. I started 1/22/2007 as part of CFD recruit class # 75, still the best yet. After completing recruit school I was assigned to Engine co. 38 in southwest Charlotte we I am currently still at.

Relationship Status:

In a Relationship

Why I Joined Fire/EMS

It was something I wanted to do as a kid, I had a friend in it that talked me into joining the Vol. Company im on now and it has been in my blood ever since.

Why I Love Fire/EMS

I Love everything about it, The rush of getting up at 0200 for a working fire and seeing the face of a mother when she see's her son being held by one of us. It is the joy of knowing that we can make a difference in someone's lives doing what we Love to do.

Top Issues Facing Responders:

Recruitment and retention is a big problem for the Vol. company's, There are not many left and more and it is dying out more and more each day but there will always be a need for fire service in rural area's.