Type of Organization

Combination Fire Rescue Department

Job Function

Firefighter / Paramedic (or Other ALS)

Years in Fire/EMS:

7

Primary Fire/EMS Department:

DeKalb County Fire Rescue

Years With Department/Agency

6 Months

My Training:

Firefighter NPQ II and State of GA
Haz Mat OPS NPQ
EMT-Advanced
Numerous other certificates and licenses as earned via GEMA, FEMA, GPSTC, NCFR, DCFR, Office of Homeland Security, CSX Transportation Haz Mat Systems, GA Work Ready Certificate via WorkKeys/ACT, National Safety Council.

About Me:

27 y/o, married since 10/30/2009 to (Maiden) Christa Anne Jeffries / Now, legally: Christa Jeffries Mann. Hired @ NCFR on 06/28/2004, Resigned on 10/17/2010. Hired @ DCFR from 10/18/2010 until 04/15/2011 - Layed off due to -$7.1 million FD budget cut.

Day Job:

Unemployed

Relationship Status:

Married

Why I Joined Fire/EMS

2004: Lack of options.

2005 - 2011: The demands of the job fit my personality like a glove.

Why I Love Fire/EMS

Successful pereservation of life.

Top Issues Facing Responders:

The lack of concern for a consistent unified fitness standard. The fact that our commissioners, with absolutely NO fire or rescue experience, hinder the success of our departments by designating the "Fire Chief" as an "Appointed Official" instead, as PD Chiefs are, as "Elected Officials". This "Tom-follery" serves the commissioners of our counties/cities as a means of absolute departmental control.