Type of Organization

Combination Fire Rescue Department

Job Function

Assistant or Deputy Chief

Years in Fire/EMS:

32

Primary Fire/EMS Department:

Los Pinos Fire District - Ignacio, CO

Years With Department/Agency

5 - 2003 to Present

Dept. Web Site:

http://www.lospinosfire.org

Web Site:

http://www.firenet.org

Other Past or Current Departments and Organizations

Millburn, NJ Fire Department - 1976 to 1980
Newark, NJ Fire Auxiliary - 1977 to 1980

About Me:

I am the Deputy Chief of the Los Pinos Fire Protection District; a combination department located in the scenic "Four Corners" of Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, and Utah.

I commenced my 32-year fire service career as a member of the Millburn (NJ) Fire Department and as an auxiliary member of the Newark (NJ) Fire Department.

In 1980 I moved to Farmington, NM after accepting a position as a career firefighter. I have held the ranks of Firefighter, Fire Engineer, Fire Captain, Fire Marshal, and Fire Chief prior to my retirement from the FFD in 2003.

I completed the National Fire Academy's Executive Fire Officer Program in 1992, and graduated with honors from San Juan College in 1993 with an Associate Degree in Fire Protection. I received the Chief Fire Officer (CFO) designation from the Center for Public Safety Excellence’s Commission on Professional Credentialing in 2008. I am also a Licensed Emergency Medical Technician, as well as a Certified Fire Investigator through the International Association of Arson Investigators.

I serve as an Adjunct Faculty member at the National Fire Academy, the New Mexico Fire Fighter Academy, and Chair the Colorado Fire Fighter Academy Advisory Committee. I have taught at numerous regional, state, and national programs and academic institutions and I have been published in numerous trade journals in the areas of fire investigation, safety, and the executive management of fire departments.

I also served on the National Fire Protection Association’s Technical Committee on Fire Investigations (NFPA 921) from 1990 until 1998. I hold memberships in the IAAI, IAFC, NFPA, the Society of Executive Fire Officers, Society of National Fire Academy Instructors, and the Board of Directors of the National Fire Academy Alumni Association.

Along with my brother Don, we represent the fifth generation of our family's involvement in the fire service. I am married to Lori, and have two children, Robert and Shaylee, as well as two extremely neurotic Labrador Retrievers.

Relationship Status:

Married

Facebook or Other Online Profile:

http://www.buffaloheadfire.com