What State do you live in?

SD

Type of Organization

Volunteer Fire Department

Job Function

Training Officer/Training Chief/Instructor

Years in Fire/EMS:

37

Primary Fire/EMS Department:

Aberdeen Rural Fire Protection District

Years With Department/Agency

37

Dept. Web Site:

http://www.aberdeenrural.org/

Other Past or Current Departments and Organizations

Aberdeen Fire Rescue Department, Aberdeen SD
Homer Volunteer Fire Department, Homer. Alaska

My Training:

FFI, FFII, FFIII, Fire Officer IV, ICS 100-400, Arson Investigator, Fire Service Instructor, EMT, Certified Emergency Manager, Rescue Technician, Hazmat Technician

About Me:

Joined the fire service in April of 1977 after 4 years in the US Army. Married to my beautiful wife, 2 children, 2 step children, 7 grandkids and 1 great grandson. Have served as the Firefighter through Fire Marshal for the Aberdeen Fire Rescue in Aberdeen, SD; as a firefighter through Captain for the Aberdeen Rural Fire Protection District, and as the Assistant Fire Chief for the Homer Volunteer Fire Department in Homer, Alaska. I have responded to many large wildland fires throughout SD, WY, MT, and AK, including the Yellowstone fire of 1988 and the the Canyon Creek Fire of 1988. My most satisfying role is that of a Fire Safety Educator teaching children, parents and the elderly the threats of fire and their role in keeping themselves safe.

Day Job:

Owner/Trainer at Keypoints Training

Relationship Status:

Married

Why I Joined Fire/EMS

Tiger was the speaker at the South Dakota Fire Service Instructors Conference in 2012 and I found that he and I have similar attitudes towards the safety of our firefighters and the public we serve.

Why I Love Fire/EMS

Working with like minded people to help others during times of great need.

Top Issues Facing Responders:

1. Impressing upon our new firefighters the need to stay current on the multitude of issues they face on a call to call basis.
2. Keeping the "Old Guard" involved in these new demands without belittling their experience and prior training.