What State do you live in?

IN

Type of Organization

Volunteer Fire Department

Job Function

Other

Years in Fire/EMS:

17

Primary Fire/EMS Department:

Cowan Monroe twp

Years With Department/Agency

10

Other Past or Current Departments and Organizations

Center twp fire department (CTES)

My Training:

Add to this later

About Me:

I was a park ranger before becoming a fire fighter. While working as a park ranger I was asked if I would be interested in joining a fairly new department ( Center twp). The idea caught my interest so I put my application in and I was accepted three months later. The department was closed some years later in 2010 due to and agreement between the city and the twp. I put my application into the Monroe twp fire department and was voted on the department a few weeks later.

Day Job:

Caesar's Entertainment.

Relationship Status:

Single

Why I Joined Fire/EMS

While working as a park ranger I was dispatched to a variety of calls assisting other agencies law enforcement, fire and EMS. I knew that I wanted to do something more in my community.

Why I Love Fire/EMS

The ability give back, to make a difference in a life, the ability to restore hope and calm fear for an individual or family in their worst time.

Top Issues Facing Responders:

Having and retaining volunteers. Communities that aren't engaging or interacting with their Fire and EMS departments unless it's during a call. We are a brick or metal building that nobody knows anything about when their driving by going to work or home. If we are forgotten between calls come budget time our needs will be forgotten for new equipment or additional funding for new gear ECT. We have to engage and interact with our communities beyond the 911 call, something as simple as helping with a flat tire, clearing a snow covered sidewalk for someone who physically can't, Finishing the yard work of a patient that was just transported this has all been done by departments in the past. When you give more than what is expected it's hard to forget you and your crew.