Type of Organization

Fire/Rescue Department - Volunteer, EMS/Rescue Squad - Volunteer

Job Function

Firefighter / Paramedic (or Other ALS)

Years in Fire/EMS:

About 10

Primary Fire/EMS Department:

NBFD, NY

Years With Department/Agency

1 1/2.

Other Past or Current Departments and Organizations

BCFD from 1998 to 2001, JTFD #1 from 2001 to 2004, back to BCFD then to PCFD from 2004 to 2005, and to NBFD from 2005 to present. (Hopefully I've settled down!)

My Training:

For Fire: Basic and Intermediate Fire, FF 2, ICS 100 & 200, Haz-Mat Awareness & Ops, Vehicle Extrication, Bus Rescue, Rescue Ops, Rapelling, High Angle Rescue 1 & 2, Water Supply, Wild Land Fire Suppression, Safety & Survival, FAST, Firefighting Strategy & Tactics, Fire Attack, Intro to Fire Officer....
For EMS: Basic EMT-D- now AEMT-CC. CPR, ACLS, PALS, PHTLS, PEPP
Nursing: RN, BSN, CEN, TNCC. Working on Critical Care Nursing Cert.

Day Job:

I have 2 "day jobs"- both of which are in nursing. I work as an ICU nurse at a Level 2 trauma center full-time. I also work part-time as an ER/Trauma Nurse in another hospital

Relationship Status:

Married

Why I Joined Fire/EMS

I moved to a small community right out of high school and didn't know anyone. I got involved in Fire/EMS to get to know the community. Now I'm a part of an even larger community...

Why I Love Fire/EMS

Everyday you have the opportunity to make a difference in someone's life. That's awesome.

Top Issues Facing Responders:

Recruitment and retention are HUGE issues for both Fire and EMS. It's getting more and more difficult to keep the personel we have, let alone gettting new people to join. It takes certain personalities and special qualities to do what we do- finding these in our members, developing their skills and encouraging growth are fundamental.