Type of Organization

Fire/Rescue Department - Volunteer, Fire/Rescue Department - Combination, EMS/Rescue Squad - Volunteer

Job Function

Firefighter, First Responder, Hazardous Materials Team Member

Years in Fire/EMS:

5

Primary Fire/EMS Department:

Ridge Farm Fire Department West Woodyard Ridge Farm,Illinois

Years With Department/Agency

2-1/2

Other Past or Current Departments and Organizations

Carrol Township Fire Protection District
Indianola,Illinois

My Training:

basic first aid - adult,child,infant cpr - adult,child AED, licensed first responder,severe weather spotter,haz-mat/wmd,haz-mat awareness, haz-mat operations,meth awareness,and NIMS(NATIONAL INCIDENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM) 100,200 and 700 certified. have some EMT basic knowledge, and hope to pursue this further when my children age a little more.

About Me:

I was a volunteer firefighter for Carrol Township in Indianola ,Illinois for approximately 2-3 years. I moved out of state and got away from the fire service, as my passion has always been to work in the medical field. not that i have anything against fire service. A few years later I moved back to Illinois, and was asked by my father in law if i had any interest in joining the fire department. when he told me that it was combination fire/ems, i jumped at the opportunity and have now been serving Ridge Farm fire/rescue for 2-1/2 years.

Day Job:

press operator/shift foreman

Relationship Status:

Married

Facebook or Other Online Profile:

http://marvin73@myspace.com

Why I Joined Fire/EMS

first and foremost, i have a passion for helping people. in hopes of pursuing a career as a paramedic, and it is a family thing. my father in law and brother in law both serve on the same department as i do.

Why I Love Fire/EMS

the feeling I get just knowing that I am part of an organization with a reputation for saving lives

Top Issues Facing Responders:

lack of federal funding,and man power due to the fact it seems everyone now days is in it for the money. we as a volunteer department, as I am very certain you are all well aware of, have a high turn over rate. applicants have come up to me, knowing the job is volunteer and still had the audascity to ask what the pay is? it's volunteer. we don't do it for the money. DUH!!!!