Type of Organization

Combination Fire Rescue Department

Job Function

Firefighter / Paramedic (or Other ALS)

Years in Fire/EMS:

31

Primary Fire/EMS Department:

DeWitt Fire District

Years With Department/Agency

17

Dept. Web Site:

http://www.dewittfire.org

Web Site:

http://www.liverpoolfire.com

Other Past or Current Departments and Organizations

Manlius Fire Department
Onondaga County Emergency Management - Fire Investigation Unit

My Training:

NYS 229 Professional Firefighter
Advanced Haz-Mat Technician
Certified Fire Instructor
Certified Fire Investigator
A-EMT Critical Care Technician

About Me:

31 years as a progressive volunteer serving as Deputy Chief and Acting Chief, 20 years in the career fire service and 25 year in career EMS and 8 years as a Municipal Mayor. I now work behind the scenes of an ego driven field to help better the service for the right reasons putting the service ahead of my own success.

Day Job:

Firefighter/Medic

Relationship Status:

In a Relationship

Why I Joined Fire/EMS

When I was 12 years old I watched the fire department respond to my house and do CPR on my father, I knew at that moment this was exactly what I wanted to do.

Why I Love Fire/EMS

I don't, you can't love something that is a service that is called in to action due to someone elses suffering.

Top Issues Facing Responders:

Ineffective Leadship
Misapropriation funds for disaster preparedness
Lack of effective retention programs for both career and volunteer providers.
The need for better training in local fire departments as it relates to their response districts.
Interenal and Extrenal politics in Fire and EMS Branches.