Type of Organization

Fire/Rescue Department - Paid

Job Function

Battalion Chief / Division Chief

Years in Fire/EMS:

30

Primary Fire/EMS Department:

Miami-Dade County, Florida

Years With Department/Agency

26

Dept. Web Site:

http://miamidade.gov/fire

My Training:

Paramedic,
Haz-Mat Technician,
Technical Rescue Technician,
FEMA-Planning Team Manager,
US&R-Logistics Team Manager,
US&R-Haz-Mat Team Manager,
US&R-Medical Specialist,
US&R-Search Team Manager,
US&R-Rescue Team Manager,
Planning Section Chief,
ICS-700,
ICS-100,
ICS-200,
ICS-300,
ICS-400,
ICS-800,
Rescue Diver,
Confined Space Rescue Technician,
PADI-OWD Instructor
USCG-6-pack

About Me:

Largest Department in the South-Eastern USA. Protecting life, property and the environment in a service area of 2000 square miles. Providing a full complement of services that includes; firefighting, Emergency Medical Services with ALS engines and ALS transport rescues, Air Rescue using 4 Bell 412 helicopters, Haz-Mat team, technical rescue team, MERT- Motorcycle Emergency Response Team, Marine Operations using a 50', 36' fireboat & 28' rapid response marine craft, Anti-Venom team with fully stocked and maintained anti-venin bank, Largest water rescue program in the US, Lifeguards, Plans review, new construction inspections, annual life safety inspection, fire cause & origin investigations, US&R operations as a Federal (FEMA), State and local asset, Cadet program (Explorers), High School Firefighting magnet program. This is accomplished with the support of 2100 sworn Firefighters and 556 civilian personnel.

Relationship Status:

Married

Why I Joined Fire/EMS

While living in the Virgin Islands, my family, friends and I faced many natural disasters and emergencies. There was virtually no government sponsored emergency services to speak of. The only help for those of us that lived and those that visit, were the volunteer services. I grew up being a part of those services, JrREACT, Civil Defense, St. Thomas Rescue Inc., VISAR, etc. Service to my community shaped what I am now.

Why I Love Fire/EMS

Feeling of Community Service

Top Issues Facing Responders:

Short-term memory. The short term memory of politicians and bean counters. Immediately post 911 the fire service was fully funded to perform the duties expected of them. As time has pasted and memories fade, the funding is getting harder to come by, yet the duties and responsibilities continue to mount. The initial training requirement to meet these mandates places a severe financial burden on most departments. If that were all necessary, it would be a hurdle that can be surmounted with some creativity. However the recurrent training required to maintain CEU's and to prevent those very perishable skills from getting dull, add a near unsurmountable burden.