What State do you live in?

IL

Type of Organization

Volunteer Fire Department

Job Function

Firefighter/Paramedic, Training Officer/Training Chief/Instructor

Years in Fire/EMS:

15 years

Primary Fire/EMS Department:

Mitchell Volunteer Fire Protection District

Years With Department/Agency

15 years

Other Past or Current Departments and Organizations

Abbott-Lifeforce Ambulance Service

My Training:

OJT thru Dept for FFI. SWIC (college) for IL STATE FIREFIGHTER II certification. EMT BASIC THRU FD AND SWIC. PARAMEDIC thru Region 4A resource hospital St Elizabeth Medical Center and Alton Memorial hospital.

About Me:

Had to retire on disability due to back injuries.

Day Job:

Before retiring was Emergency Medical Dispatcher EMT PARAMEDIC with Abbott EMS.

Relationship Status:

Married

Why I Joined Fire/EMS

Wanted to help my community by giving back thru my being an active member of Mitchell VFPD. Also wanted to learn more First Aid than what I learned as Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America.

Why I Love Fire/EMS

Love helping people in their time of need. Was happy to protect and serve my neighbors and their property. Bu

Top Issues Facing Responders:

budget cuts and in some cases downsizing while trying to properly cover existing area and sometimes expanding territories.