Type of Organization

Other Response Agency Type

Job Function

Training Officer

Years in Fire/EMS:

12

Primary Fire/EMS Department:

Wyoming State Fire Marshal's Office

Years With Department/Agency

2

Dept. Web Site:

http://wyofire.state.wy.us

Other Past or Current Departments and Organizations

Lisbon Volunteer Fire Company, Maryland
San Bernardino County Fire, Yucca Valley, CA
Jacksonville Fire Department, North Carolina
Jacksonville Volunteer Rescue Squad, North Carolina
Hubert Volunteer Fire Department, North Carolina
Midway Fire - Rescue, Pawleys Island, South Carolina
Surfside Beach Rescue, South Carolina

My Training:

Firefighter 1 & 2, NREMT-B, Hazmat Tech, Confined Space Rescue, Rope Rescue, Fire Service Instructor, Apparatus Driver/Operator Pumper/Ariel, Ocean Rescue, Fire/Arson Investigation, Fire Officer, WMD, NIMS ICS 100 - 800, Fire Science and Fire Service Management.

About Me:

I began my fire service career in 1974 with Lisbon VFC. In 1975, I enlisted in the Marine Corps and served 25 years active service. Retiring in 2000 at the rank of Master Gunnery Sergeant, I pursued a career in the fire service with Jacksonville Fire Department and then Midway Fire-Rescue. After eight years of service I had advanced to Apparatus Driver (Engineer) when the Charleston Fire Department lost nine of their firefighters. I then decided to put my leadership ability and talent to use and was hired by the Wyoming State Fire Marshal's Office as an Instructor for the NE Region of the State of Wyoming.

Day Job:

Trainer/Investigator

Why I Joined Fire/EMS

Somebody has to take the bull by the horns and wrestle it til there's no more fight left in it. At least that's something I'm good at.
Translation: People need help and I discovered that I had that ability. I've been in emergency services in form or another all of my adult life.

Top Issues Facing Responders:

Emergency Vehicle Operations
Firefighter Safety and Building Construction
Air Management and MayDay
Recruitment and Retention
Equipment Budgets