|
|
|
Q) How did you get involved in the volunteer fire service?
A) I joined at the age of 16 because I had friends that belonged to the fire company. My father was a volunteer fireman in West Grove, Pa., in his youth.
Q) What do you enjoy most about being president of the Claymont Fire Company?
A) The interactions with the community and representing the fire company as I travel up and down the state.
Q) In America firehouses traditionally have a vital role in the communities where they are located. Talk about your company's role in Claymont. What kinds of activities is the firehouse involved in?
A) Claymont Fire Company's role in our community is to be the first responder to an emergency situation that would involve the compromising of someone's health and/or property. The firehouse is involved in fund raising to help offset the cost to keep the company running. [We've] partnered with Holy Rosary Food Bank to collect donations during the holiday season; Santa rides on the fire truck during the month of December visiting each street in our community; [We] support community groups by offering the use of community rooms for meetings; [We] support the Claymont Lion's Club during their tree sale event (located at our sub-station) and [host] their twice a year pancake breakfasts. We also host an annual open house in October to increase awareness of fire safety.
Q) What is one key to being an effective leader?
A) Surround yourself with good people and be a good listener. Throughout the years I have been most fortunate to have worked beside some of the most knowledgeable and dedicated volunteers.
Q) What is your single biggest day-to-day challenge?
A) Meeting the financial burdens that surround a volunteer organization that provides a vital public safety service. Our company has to raise approximately 52 percent of our annual income in order to meet those financial demands. State and county funding, which has been reduced over the past years, only provides 48 percent of our budgetary needs.
Q) What is the best advice you’ve received?
A) "We can agree to disagree but at the end of the day we are still friends!"
Q) What did you want to be when you grew up?
A) I wanted to be a wood shop teacher.
Q) Describe a pivotal moment in your career as a fire fighter?
A) Although I have experienced fires, rescues and EMS calls of all types, the most pivotal moments for me have been when I am visiting and supporting the family of one of our members who has died. The loss of a member, whether young or old, active or not active, cuts deep at the heart of the organization. We are truly a family bound by brotherhood.
Q) What five adjectives would your fellow members use to describe you?
A) Dedicated, hard-working, humorous, opinionated and trustworthy.
Q) How did you get involved in the volunteer fire service?
A) I joined at the age of 16 because I had friends that belonged to the fire company. My father was a volunteer fireman in West Grove, Pa., in his youth.
Q) What do you enjoy most about being president of the Claymont Fire Company?
A) The interactions with the community and representing the fire company as I travel up and down the state.
Q) In America firehouses traditionally have a vital role in the communities where they are located. Talk about your company's role in Claymont. What kinds of activities is the firehouse involved in?
A) Claymont Fire Company's role in our community is to be the first responder to an emergency situation that would involve the compromising of someone's health and/or property. The firehouse is involved in fund raising to help offset the cost to keep the company running. [We've] partnered with Holy Rosary Food Bank to collect donations during the holiday season; Santa rides on the fire truck during the month of December visiting each street in our community; [We] support community groups by offering the use of community rooms for meetings; [We] support the Claymont Lion's Club during their tree sale event (located at our sub-station) and [host] their twice a year pancake breakfasts. We also host an annual open house in October to increase awareness of fire safety.
Q) What is one key to being an effective leader?
A) Surround yourself with good people and be a good listener. Throughout the years I have been most fortunate to have worked beside some of the most knowledgeable and dedicated volunteers.
Q) What is your single biggest day-to-day challenge?
A) Meeting the financial burdens that surround a volunteer organization that provides a vital public safety service. Our company has to raise approximately 52 percent of our annual income in order to meet those financial demands. State and county funding, which has been reduced over the past years, only provides 48 percent of our budgetary needs.
Q) What is the best advice you’ve received?
A) "We can agree to disagree but at the end of the day we are still friends!"
Q) What did you want to be when you grew up?
A) I wanted to be a wood shop teacher.
Q) Describe a pivotal moment in your career as a fire fighter?
A) Although I have experienced fires, rescues and EMS calls of all types, the most pivotal moments for me have been when I am visiting and supporting the family of one of our members who has died. The loss of a member, whether young or old, active or not active, cuts deep at the heart of the organization. We are truly a family bound by brotherhood.
Q) What five adjectives would your fellow members use to describe you?
A) Dedicated, hard-working, humorous, opinionated and trustworthy.
