Type of Organization

Fire/Rescue Department - Volunteer

Job Function

Firefighter

Years in Fire/EMS:

20 years

Primary Fire/EMS Department:

East Rutherford

Years With Department/Agency

5 years

Other Past or Current Departments and Organizations

Elmwood Park Fire Department
Fair Lawn Hazardous Materials Emergency Response Team
Hackensack Vol Ambulance Corp
Fellowship of Christian Firefighters

My Training:

Firefighter, HazMat Tech, Rescue, EMT

Firefighter 1,2
Fire Inspector 1
Fire Official
Emergency Medical Technician
Critical Incident Stress Debriefing Network of NJ - 2 Day Introduction Training Course

The Anatomy of a Car Crash
After the Trauma
EMS Vehicle and Passenger Safety 1990
Pre-Hospital Trauma 90
The Hazards of Air Bags

Emergency Response - Level 1 Awareness
Emergency Response - Level 2 Hazardous Materials Technician Course
Emergency Medical Services Response to a Hazardous Material Incident

The State Of NJ, Dept of Law & Public Safety, Division of State Police
NJ Incident Command Systems

Module 1 - Prehospital Core 2
Module 2 - Preparatory Core 2

NJ Worker and Community Right to Know Instruction Retraining

Bloodborne Patogens Training Program

The Registration Process
Fire Detection and Alarms Systems - Advanced
Inspection of School Facilities
Occupancy Load and the Fire Code
Fundamentals of Inspection
Inspection of Warehouse & Storage Areas
Sprinkler Lab Workshop
Managerial & Supervisory Skills: Interpersonal
National Fire Incident Reporting System
Fire Protection Water Supplies
Sprinkler Lab Workshop (Mod 2)

Confined Space Awareness
CBRNE Awareness
CBRNE Operations

CEVO3 - FIRE

Gas and Electric Emergencies
Fire - Rescue Vehicle Extrication
Heavy Rescue
Emergency Medical Technician - Ambulance Training Program
Haz-Mat Awareness Refresher
Haz-Mat Operations Refresher
Explosive Emergencies
Liquid Emergencies
Gas Emergencies
NJ Haz Mat Level 4 Specialist "level A CPC"
Flammable Solids Emergencies
Poison Emergencies
Haz Mat Technician Refresher

Emergency Vehicle Driver Lecture
IMS - I - 100
IMS - I - 700
Fire Fireghter 2
Fireground Officer Development
Pastoral Crisis Intervention

About Me:

Thom is currently a firefighter with the East Rutherford Fire Department in NJ. He also belongs to the Fellowship of Christian Firefighters International - North Jersey Chapter and is Director of Ministry, which inludes the outreach to the FDNY as well as other firefighters.
Thom is back after being oout of the service for a few years, for the family. Thom also served 16 years on Elmwood Park Fire Dept., 12 years on the truck company, where he grew up since 2, and 4 years on Engine 3.
Thom also served for 5 years on the Fair Lawn Hazardous Materials Emergency Response Team, where he rose to the rank of lieutenant.
Thom also served 3 years on the Hackensack Vol. Ambulance Corp, again he rose to the rank of lieutenant. His daughter was born with special needs, so he left the Ambulance Corp to better take care of his daughter.
Thom is the survivor of a triple bypass he had September 2010. He advises all to take special care of the heart.

Relationship Status:

Divorced

Why I Joined Fire/EMS

I am a second generation firefighter. I have been around the fire department since I was 2 years old. My father worked two jobs. I actually got to spend more time with my father after I joined the fire service. I also understood why he enjoyed the fire department.

Why I Love Fire/EMS

the brotherhood and family

Top Issues Facing Responders:

We have to live down the image of the drinkers. We have little children looking up to us and want to be like us. We have to set the proper example, in all walks of life.

Stress of the job: mental (yes we are mental), physical (take care of your health do not neglict your heart)


In September, had a triple bypass and heart attack in October because a graph failed. Back riding again 5 1/2 months after bypass. See cardiac firefighter on facebook.