Fire & Emergency Careers, And Fire Safety Info/Expert Profile

Expertise

Former NFPA Fire Service Section, Director, Executive Board. NJ Certified Firefighter, Fire Instructor, Fire Inspector, Haz Mat Instructor. Volunteer Firefighter since 1974, Capt. Lieut. and President. National Fire Academy Fire Officer II certified. Presently a Regional Manager for the Natl Fire Sprinkler Assn and a certified fire protection specialist and a certified code enforcement official in NY State.

Experience in the area

Various awards and citations. My oddest "call" was at my company picnic, in a remote area, when someone at the picnic had heart failure. While trying to perform CPR I was also giving directions to ALS and BLS to get to the scene. Every alarm is an accomplishment.

What do you like about this subject?

The dynamics of firefighting and the progression of fire sprinkler sytems in commercial and residential construction. The progression of these safety devices is making this job safer for firefighters each year.

What do you still hope to achieve/learn in this field?

My greatest hope is to spread the word of SAFETY and relying on your training. Firefighters cannot and must not take the easy way out or cut any corners. Each "call" you are dealt a hand of cards and you have to play what you are dealt. You can't cheat without putting someone's life in danger in this business. Profess Automatic Fire Sprinklers.

Something interesting about this subject that others may not know:

There are many avenues for free education depending on your State and local statutes. If every building had "competently installed, properly operating fire sprinkler systems" we would rarely ever have a structure fire. How many lives will this save? How many firefighters will still be alive or healthier? "An ounce of prevention is worth more than a pound of cure."

Something controversial or provocative about this subject

There is a saying in the Fire Service, "200 years of Tradition unimpeded by progress." Fire Sprinklers in all new construction is the way to go. Firefighters, as fast as they are, cannot get to a fire faster than a fire sprinkler. We must learn to accept change in enhancing our education plus writing and following standard ops procedures/guidelines, and following generally accepted practices.