Type of Organization

Fire/Rescue Department - Volunteer

Job Function

Other

Years in Fire/EMS:

Since 1979...don't count...I think I was only 3 when I started...Yeah, right>>LOL

Primary Fire/EMS Department:

Anderson County Fire Department, South Carolina

Years With Department/Agency

since 1988..woohooo: I get 3 weeks vacation this year. LOL

Dept. Web Site:

http://www.acfire.org

Other Past or Current Departments and Organizations

1979 Starr Fire Department (Volunteer)
1982 Belton City Fire Department (Paid)
1988 Anderson County Fire Department (Paid)

My Training:

IFSAC FFI, FFII, Fire Officer I, Fire Instructor I, SC State Fire Marshall, Arson Investigations, High Level Rescue, Confined Space Rescue and so much more that, just thinking about all the time I've spent doing this will depress me!! Hahahahaha

About Me:

I'm a “people person” with excellent interpersonal communication (that means I LOVE to talk) and management skills (that means I love to tell other folks what to do ;o), the ability to be a team player/leader, and highly creative (Dude..can you tell...I think I'm pretty cool! haha LMBO). All this helps (a Lot!) in the position that I'm blessed with: We have 27 volunteer departments with approximately 900 firefighters, and one all paid Headquarters with 16 employees. Headquarters is made up of support staff: The County Chief, he governors all the departments and whatever else Chief’s do; 2 State Fire Marshals (1 of which is me :0), 1 Fire Prevention officer, 2 Arson Investigators, 3 mechanics; 5 full-time and 5 part-time dispatchers; 1 Administrative Assistant; 1 Purchasing officer; and 1 training officer. All of Headquarters staff, except the Administrative Assistant and the purchasing officer, are on call for the big fires or when the departments need more manpower.


Now for the "Everything I want to tell you" section:
I am a Past President of the South Carolina Society of Fire Service Instructors;
South Carolina Fire Academy’s 1997 Adjunct Instructor of the Year;
and last but not least, I received the South Carolina State Educator of the Year in 2000.

Day Job:

Adjunct Instructor for the SC Fire Academy

Relationship Status:

Married

Why I Joined Fire/EMS

My pa was the SC Forestry Commission's Ranger and I grew up going to forest fires with him. It just seemed like the thing to do...didn't matter that "back then" girls didn't fight fire!! For as long as I can remember, all I ever wanted to be was a Firefighter....well Ok, and Cinderella.

Why I Love Fire/EMS

the EXCITMENT, of course!! (what? you thought I'd lie?) lol Yelp! I’m an adrenalin junky

Top Issues Facing Responders:

Retention of the volunteer!!! New training / ISO requirements are making it almost impossible for the average man/woman to committ to a volunteer department. I mean, you have your church (or u should {{just my opinion}}, your family, your career...and then come to the department and train? Yeah, right. We are blessed with some of the Greatest firefighters ever...I jokingly tell my "Paid" friends that our "Volunteers" do it from the heart...and "The paid" do it for the money. Now, understand please, that most of the "paid" guys around here are, also, our volunteers. God bless the Firefighters!! paid or volunteer!! We all know that we do it for the LOVE of the job!!!