Type of Organization

Industrial/Institutional

Job Function

Assistant or Deputy Chief, Training Officer, Safety Officer, Fire / Arson Investigator, Firefighter / EMT-Basic, Hazardous Materials Team Member, Emergency Management Coordinator/Staff, Auxiliary/On Scene Support

Years in Fire/EMS:

16

Primary Fire/EMS Department:

Eastman Chemical Company Emergency Response Team

Years With Department/Agency

16

Other Past or Current Departments and Organizations

Gregg County, Texas Sheriff's Department

My Training:

Tank Car Specialist-Transport Technology Center/ Pueblo, Colorado
Tank Car Specialist- Longview Fire Department / Union Pacific Railroad
NFPA 1041
NFPA 1081
Texas A&M Courses:
*Industrial Rescue I,II
*Industrial Hazardous Materials Technician
*Basic Critical Incident Stress Management
*Industrial Fire Protection
*Incident Safety Officer
*NIMS ICS-100 - 400 Series; FEMA IS-00700
Ansul Fire Extinguisher Certification
Excavation Expert Certification
Journeyman Maintenance Mechanic - Eastman University
East Texas Police Academy Graduate - Valedictorian

About Me:

My wife and I live in Longview, Texas. I was born and raised here and it's been a great place to live. I have two children, Zach (21) and Haley (16). I like to help with other municipal and volunteer fire departments in the Northeast Texas region with instruction or cooperative efforts. My hobbies include hunting, ATVing, gardening, music (guitar and song writing) and playing on the computer when time allows.

Relationship Status:

Married

Why I Joined Fire/EMS

I was a peace officer before being hired by a private industry as maintenance mechanic. I missed the adrenalin rush, so I joined th Emergency Response Team as an industrial firefighter. I loved it! I advanced myself into the Safety and Fire Protection department and am curently an assistant fire chief.

Why I Love Fire/EMS

I feel like I make a difference.

Top Issues Facing Responders:

Health Issues - not taking care of #1 has got to take a priority. I see too many LODD's from heart attack and stroke. Some may be hidden problems, but a lot of it is not getting off our butts and getting in shape. We owe it to ourselves, our team and most importantly to our families to be able to go home at the end of our shift.
Training - Too many of the volunteer organizations are being left out of the more advanced methods of emergency response because of their primary occupations don't give them the time and because of the cost.