Type of Organization

Fire/Rescue Department - Volunteer

Job Function

Firefighter / EMT-Basic

Years in Fire/EMS:

7.5

Primary Fire/EMS Department:

Interlaken Volunteer Fire Department

Years With Department/Agency

7.5

Dept. Web Site:

http://www.villageofinterlaken.org/fire.html

Other Past or Current Departments and Organizations

No other departments. We've got a ride agreement with South Seneca Ambulance and Trumansburg Ambulance though.

My Training:

Pretty much everything short of driver training and officers training. FF1, FF2, FF Survival, all the required courses, EMT-D, Aircraft Fire/Rescue, Haz-Mat basic, Low-angle Rescue Tech, Wildland Search and Rescue, etc, etc. I love training, and I would take more classes if I had the time.

About Me:

Obviously, I'm a volunteer firefighter, and it is my passion. I am in a relationship of long standing with the Captain of my department, and we have 2 Lab mixes for our "children". I am currently attending college full time for my Bachelor's in Fine Arts, hoping to become a teacher.

Day Job:

Student, currently seeking a job

Relationship Status:

In a Relationship

Why I Joined Fire/EMS

Long standing family history, and quite honestly, I walked in to the Fire House one day, and they had just delivered the Newest truck, now our Main pumper/tanker. I fell in love. Literally. I filled out the application that day, at age 17, and have been a member ever since.

Why I Love Fire/EMS

The excitement, the comraderie, knowing that I helped to make someone's worst day ever just that little bit better. And the Flames...I love interior work.

Top Issues Facing Responders:

To many to list right now. Lack of volunteers, lack of funding, too many people who refuse to learn in the service currently (both in paid and volunteer), constant danger, changing dangers, public denial of the problems, public misunderstanding, increasingly constrictive laws/regulations, and so many more I can't even wrap my head around them. Not to mention internal politics.