Type of Organization

Fire/Rescue Department - Volunteer

Job Function

Firefighter / EMT-Basic

Years in Fire/EMS:

19

Primary Fire/EMS Department:

Naval Weapons Station Charleston Fire & Emergency Services, Goose Creek, SC

Years With Department/Agency

5

Other Past or Current Departments and Organizations

Township Six, Havelock, NC
U.S. NAVY Damage Controlman
Ashley River Fire Dept., Dorchester Co., SC
Chesapeak, Va (Aux EMS System)
Warrington Vol. Fire Dept., Pensacola, FL
NAS Pensacola Fire & Emergency Service (Federal Fire Service)
NAS Whiting Field Fire Dept.,(Federal Fire Service)
NWS Charleston Fire Department (Federal Fire Service)
Old Fort Fire & Emergency Services

My Training:

F/F I & II
Airport Firefighter
Driver Operator Pumper, Aerial, ARFF
Fire Officer I
Fire Instructor I
HAZMAT Awareness, Operation, Technician, I.C.
National Registered Emergency Medical Technician (10yrs)
NIMS 100, 200, 700, 800

About Me:

I started out like most people watching fire trucks in parades and discovered that I like the fact that we help people. I began my career at a small volunteer fire department in Havelock, NC. Joined the Navy and became a damage controlman (firefighter) and moved around a lot, but everywhere I went I seemed to find a volunteer fire department that was willing to give me a shot. I spent 8.5 years traveling with the Navy and various departments. I left the Navy in 1998 and that same year returned to the Federal Fire Service in Pensacola, Fl where I worked for two different agencies, then in 2002 I moved to Charleston, SC with my wife and 2 children and found a home at the Naval Weapons Station in Goose Creek SC. Here I have gained alot of experience and have learned a great many things from my co-workers as well as had the opprotunity to attend various schools to enhance my career. While here I found (of course) a volunteer fire department up in Summerville where I live called the Old Fort Fire & Emergency Services, this is a combination department (the first one I every work) that has 6 stations. About 2 years ago I actually started working part time for this department and enjoy every minute of it. If you are a member of any of these departments please feel free to contact me will get together for a cup of coffee.

Day Job:

Old Fort Fire Department

Relationship Status:

Married

Why I Joined Fire/EMS

I have been helping people all my life. It was a good move.

Why I Love Fire/EMS

When I respond to a call and I was able to make a difference is someones life.

Top Issues Facing Responders:

Physical Fitness, ther are to many of us are dieing from health related problem and not fire related. I have recently been involved with the Charleston 9 issues and the biggest thing I see is accountability (onscene and after the fact) I think this should be a wake up call to personnel to ensure that we know where our brothers and sisters are at all the times while at a fire, free lancing is the way of the old, lets bring in the new and be accountable.