Type of Organization

Combination Fire Rescue Department, Emergency Management

Job Function

Fire / Arson Investigator, Firefighter, Retired

Years in Fire/EMS:

18

Primary Fire/EMS Department:

Republic Fire Department

Years With Department/Agency

18

Dept. Web Site:

http://www.republicmo.com/fire

My Training:

State Certified FF I/II
State Certified Fire Service Instructor
State Certified Fire Investigator
National Certified Fire & Explosion Investigator - NAFI
CERT Instructor
U.S. Department of Homeland Security HAZ-MAT Terrorism Instructor

About Me:

I grew up around the firehouse, my dad was ass't chief at a small rural department in SW Missouri for several years. I guess you can say I cut me teeth on a fire hose. I'm married with two wonderful kids, and my son tells me everyday when he grows up, he wants to be a firefighter. I ask him why he wants to do that, and said because you do it daddy.

Day Job:

Insurance Adjuster/Fire Investigator for a Major Insurance Company

Relationship Status:

Married

Why I Joined Fire/EMS

The thrill. Yes, it is a proud profession, and it's a good thing to be able to help others, but let's be realistic, when you pull up to a working structure fire, you get an adrenaline high like nothing you've ever felt before.

Why I Love Fire/EMS

The thrill man, the thrill!!!

Top Issues Facing Responders:

Funding - Fire departments are a bottomless pit when it comes to funding. $1500 for a set of gear that needs to be replaced every few years, $350,000 for a new engine? And you expect to get paid to sleep??? Cops write tickets, and although they don't cover all the costs of running a police department, they do generate some revenue. The fire department on the other hand, they take their $350,000 engine out that guzzles this $4+ a gallon fuel down at an unbelievable rate, spend 6 + hours out at a large commercial fire costing the city thousands of dollars, only to find out the business that just burned is moving out of town because they can't afford to rebuild.

Funding for fire departments is incredibly important. I hope every fire department has tons of money dumped into them every year for equipment that never gets used, because when you need it, it will be ready and there will be trained people ready and willing to get the job done!