Type of Organization

Fire/Rescue Department - Paid

Job Function

Driver / Engineer

Years in Fire/EMS:

12+

Primary Fire/EMS Department:

Station 4 Albuquerque, NM

Years With Department/Agency

6

Dept. Web Site:

http://www.cabq.gov/fire

Other Past or Current Departments and Organizations

Bernalillo County Fire Dept.: Combination department with primarily an understaffed career force augmented by volunteers, most of whom really want jobs, but have to wait for openings.

Carlsbad, NM Fire Dept: Career dept., only worked there 7 months before a better offer came along.

My Training:

Paramedic for last 11+ years. Instructor for last 4 years. Hazmat Technician two and a half years, currently assigned to ALS rescue at HazMat Task Force 4.

Relationship Status:

Married

Why I Joined Fire/EMS

Did a ride along with the local ambulance service one summer and was hooked. Took EMTB, then EMTI, and decided immediately to go to paramedic school. Figured I'd just be an ambulance jockey since I just couldn't believe people ran into burning buildings for a living. Started volunteering with a local FD to run EMS calls while in paramedic school. Trained alongside them, got issued bunker gear and then got my first structure fire--a defensive industrial fire and was totally hooked. Immediately started applying for fire service EMS jobs and have been doing it ever since.

Why I Love Fire/EMS

The personal satisfaction that comes when I can actually affect someone's life positively, whether it is helping a nice little old lady get good care or actually intervening using my ALS skills to save someone (an opportunity that rarely arises).

Top Issues Facing Responders:

Understaffed/overworked systems. Failure of citizens to understand the true nature of an emergency and calling 911 for frivolous issues.