What's Your Story?

[jboczek]

Trainer gave a brief history of his fire service and it got me thinking that I don't really know much about the rest of us. Here's my story:
51 years old, joined AFPD at the ripe age of 25, just happened to be 2 months after I got married. Spent about 17 years as FF, got appointed AC then, and in June, 1999 made Chief. FFII, 1st Responder/AED, God only knows how many other certificates from IFSI, been going to Fire College for about 15 years, a lot of them by myself. I learned a lot and will keep going to every training class I can. Never can get too much.
Our dept. has around 25 members, POC, average 140 calls a year, 100 of them EMS. Made $1000 last year, biggest paycheck the district ever gave out. 2 stations now, one in Ashley, one in my town of DuBois. DuBois is getting a new building this year. We just got news of a $17,500 grant from Rural Development to help build it. I've got more goals before I retire and get to be a trustee. Might take me 6 or 7 years to get everything done. The fire service is my pass time and I'd hate to think about not being in it. I have crust.

[btroutm]

Good thread! I'm new here and don't know much about anyone myself. My story goes a bit like this...
I am 18 years old and have been an EMT-B for 11 months. I work weekends, some nights, and full time during the summer for Superior Ambulance Service in Chicago. I am a freshman at Loyola University Chicago, majoring in biology and psychology. I plan on attending medical school after undergrad. I also plan on taking a paramedic course starting this fall. I'm not sure what field of medicine I want to go into, but emergency medicine is definately a possibility. I first started taking EMT classes when I was 16 and have been hooked ever since. After I get my medic license I plan on getting on a department somewhere, probably as a vollie or POC. That's about it so far...

[ChiefReason]

You don't want to know any more about me than you already do!:D
Firefighter-1980
Lt./Training Officer-1983
Asst. Chief-1987
Chief-1988
Trustee-2003
Certifications-many
Memberships-IAFPD, IFCA, WIFA, IACOJ
Fondest memories-to be continued
It ain't my first love, but it's damned close.
CR

[80FIRE]

A little about our department and me. We have 15 volunteer firefighters and cover 80 square miles with a population of 1400. In our district is the Methode Electronics assembly plant that employees 500 people and on school days we have about 600 children in our district. We also have 12 miles of BNSF railroad through the district.
39 years old
I have been on the department 12 years
Chief for 4 years
When past chief resigned I was asked to fill the position. Sure could of used all of your help getting started. I am still learning.
Hold several IFSI certs and attend all training that time allows
Was an EMT-B for the volunteer ambulance service until the county placed paid paramedics out in the rural areas. I represent the 10 rural fire departments in our county on the ambulance advisory board.

I am a farmer (no pigs Art)
I am also do carpentry and electrical work on the side.
Some time it feels like I spend more time as chief than my paying jobs!
I enjoy spending time with my family, surfing the net, anything fire related, and an occasional lousy game of golf.

[jaybird210]

Okay, I'll come clean. I'm not really a firefighter yet.
I'm 16 years old; I'm an explorer on our local deaprtment. I just read a lot of fire books so I sound like I know what I'm talking about. I want to be a fireman when I get out of high school.

[pcfdcap1]

Another thread going south. Jay, I thought you were at least 17!:D :p :D I think we did this before.

[MIKEYLIKESIT]

1981-Became a cadet firefighter at the age of 15
1984-Became a POC firefighter and EMT-A (I am dating myself with that)
1987-Was promoted to Engineer and became an EMT-P
1989-Was hired as a fulltime firefighter-paramedic
I am a certified FF III, Officer I, Haz Mat II,(aka Tech)FAE Instructor II, Juvenile Firesetter Intervention Specialist,Certified Fire Investigator. I am still a blue shirt. It gets frustrating, but All the officers on my department have more time on the job then me. I have not bothered to finish management III and IV yet but I have the other classes for officer II.

[Patrick631]

Started hanging around the local FD at age 13. No one around had a cadet program. Started working doing SCBA repairs at 18, moving around to several differents companies. Finally setteled down and have been on the department for 11 years now. I sell fire equipment of all types.

Patrick

[VCFPD3]

I've been on the department for 6 yrs. have been EMT-B/D for 4 yrs.
My department covers 72 sq. milesof mostly stripmine and farm ground. We run apporximately 50-60 calls mostly first responder.
Many IFSI certs. but FFII hasnt fit into my schedule yet. Farm-medic,BTLS,Paramedic class (no internship yet).
I work full time for local ambulance service and sell fire equipment on my off duty days.
In my spare time i am on my county fair board, WIFA secretary, help with county 4-H livestock show, and active in local FFA alumni association.

[lilyogi]

My dept has 26 members, 6 trucks, a boat, we cover 120 sq miles, mostly rural. We are going through a lot of changes and more to come shortly.
I am 27, have been on the Fire Dept. for 2 years, (was on another dept for 1 year prior)
Currently in FFII class (finish next month)
Paramedic for 4 years, have been in EMS for 9 years (10 in DEC)
Work full time on a ALS amb.
Also volunteer on our amb
Grew up around the station, my father was FF/EMT-I
I attend Monroe Fire School (Monroe WI) every year (great classes, great weekend)
Visit our Dept. website ( I designed it!)
www.eriefpd.com

[mfdff2]

28y/o
volly with VCFPD 4 years
volly with the Great Chief Reason for 3 years
Full time Mfd almost 5
FF3/Eng
Fire Invest
haz ops
roadway
can't remember the others i am getting too old.
Tactical Paramedic






I love LBFM'S

[raginginferno21]

24 y/o
2 years as probie
7 years paid POC
FF3
FAE
HAZ Tech& IC
Roadway 1
J.F.S.I.S.
WMD Tech.
Division 21 Hit Team(Glow worm).

I also work at the Ford Stamping plant in Chicago Heights.Biggest paycheck from village was $2300 in one month.

[DjInferno]

I'm 20 years old, firefighter in Ashley since the day I turned 18, literally, although I've hung around the fire station as long as i can remember. FFII, Haz-Mat Awareness, several IFSI classes. lookin to go full time as soon as i can.....this is all I've ever wanted to do with my life.

Doug

[pcfdcap1]

well Doug, I think you had a good teacher growing up. I just hope you didn't learn to like your dad's beer.:D :p Good luck in finding your job.

Mike L

[jboczek]

Cap, he's only 20. You know you have to be 21 in Illinois to drink beer.

[raven911]

I guess I will chime in. I am 34, originally from Texas, but have traveled and lived the entire country. My family is from Oklahoma originally and we are part of the Choctaw Nation. My life with the fire service started back in childhood, hanging around my dad's fire station in Fort Worth, TX.

1991 - started as a "vollie" in New Hampshire. (don't ask!)
1992 - Firefighter for the military in Alaska.
1996 - Civil Service firefighter in Dallas TX.
1998 - Promoted to Inspector.
2000 - Fire Marshal - SMU Dallas, TX (sounded a lot better than it really was)
2001 - Went back to work for Uncle Sugar as Fire Inspector in NM. (Got promoted again.)

Certified as Firefighter II, Inspector II, Instructor III, Officer I, Haz-Mat Tech, Haz-Mat IC, and Wildland Firefighter. I am a fully trained and operating fire investigator, but I am not required to maintain NAFI or IAAI investigator certs for my position. Since I don't do it as a side job, I have never pursued them.

I am currently enjoying the wilderness and outdoor life the great state of NM offers. Maybe one day I will move when I get thoroughly bored of the fishing and hunting. Most Likely I will return to Alaska.

It is someone else's turn to talk about themself now, I will ramble on all day if I don't stop now...