Type of Organization

Combination Fire Rescue Department

Job Function

Fire Chief / Chief of Department

Years in Fire/EMS:

15

Primary Fire/EMS Department:

Sweetwater County Fire District #1

Years With Department/Agency

8

Dept. Web Site:

http://www.fd1fire.com

Other Past or Current Departments and Organizations

Church & Dwight Co. Green River Plant Emergency Response Team

My Training:

High-Angle Rope Rescue Technician
Confined Space Rescue Technician
High-Angle/Confined Space Rescue Instructor
FFII
Fire Officer III
Fire Service Instructor II
EMT-B
Haz Mat Technician
3rd year of EFO Program
OSHA 500 & 501

About Me:

Born in southwest Wyoming; lived here most of my life except for a brief period when I was younger. Lived in Argentina for 1 a year and a half. Learned to read, write and speak Spanish.

Worked for Church & Dwight Co. for 20 years making various Arm & Hammer products before quitting to become a career member of Sweetwater County Fire District #1. Good company, provided excellent training opportunities - just time to move on.

Applied Sciences degree in Industrial Maintenance. Trying to identify a learning institution where I can get a bachelor's degree in Fire Science, or a related field.

Would eventually like to get a master's degree

Day Job:

This is my day job

Relationship Status:

In a Relationship

Why I Joined Fire/EMS

Always had an interest so when the company I worked for decided to form their own response team I joined up.

Why I Love Fire/EMS

Camaraderie, brotherhood (and sisterhood), the opportunity to help people through the toughest time they've had up to that moment.

Top Issues Facing Responders:

Funding issues. The current economic state has made it tough for a lot of departments. I think that the next three to five years will present a lot of tough challenges.

All career vs all volunteer vs combination. Some day we'll have this all figured out. My volunteers are not trying to take your jobs guys! That type of competition is unhealthy for everyone. Mutual-aid training - mutual-aid response - we can accomplish more together than we can separately.

Professional respect. Now that we've determined that our firefighters are suitable candidates for your department, how's about giving me the professional courtesy of calling me when you are considering hiring one of my guys? I don't expect you to do anything other than what's best for your agency. I do the same for mine. I'm happy when my firefighters can pursue their passion. I promise not to "retaliate" against them, but I will encourage them in every way possible.