My emergency services career began while in the Navy from 1989 to 1991 with the required shipboard firefighter training. After discharge from the military in 1991, I attended Penn State University in State College PA and joined my first EMS unit. For about 5 months I was a member of Centre County Search and Rescue and served as 2nd Lieutenant as this team was undergoing formation. The team never had a call out while I was member and no longer exists, having been replaced by Centre County Sheriffs Office Search and Rescue (CCSOSAR).

 After my one year at college I returned home to Bedford County PA. Around November 1994 I joined Imler Area Volunteer Fire Department and became a firefighter and ambulance attendant. I obtained a good deal of experience and training while a member of the department. In November 1998 I left Imler in preparation for my move to Somerset County 25 miles away.

 After spending a few years getting settled into my new community, I once again joined an EMS unit. In December 2000 I joined Somerset County Search and Rescue and remained a member there until January 2004. While with SCSAR I obtained a large amount of SAR specific training and experience. I served as the team’s president from January 2002 until my departure. I also created and administered the team’s first website. In January 2004, I resigned due to philosophical differences between the chief officers and myself.

 During this same time frame, I also rejoined the fire service with the aftermath of September 11. In March of 2002 I became a member of Central City Fire Department where I became a firefighter again. I resigned from the fire department in November 2004 so I could concentrate my precious little free time towards search and rescue. 

  In early 2004 a small group of individuals got together and founded a new search and rescue organization in my home county of Bedford. In April, Bedford County Wilderness Search Team (BCWST) was chartered. I was elected as the team's first president. The team is comprised of firefighters from several local companies, EMS personnel, ski patrol members from Blue Knob, and members from other search teams. The team's website can be found at http://www.bcwst.org

Certifications held:

Air Force Rescue Coordination Center (AFRCC) National Search and Rescue School

            Inland SAR Planning course

National Association for Search & Rescue (NASAR)

Individual Member

SARTECH II

Fundamentals of Search and Rescue (FUNSAR)

SARTECH III

PA Department of Health

First Responder

American Red Cross

Standard First Aid

American Heart Association

Healthcare Provider CPR/AED

PA State Fire Academy

            Incident Command System (ICS)

            Wilderness Search and Rescue Basic Grid Team

Wilderness Rescue

Basic Rigging for Rope Rescue

Emergency Vehicle Driver Training (EVOC)

Wilderness Search and Rescue Responder

Bus Rescue

Advanced Vehicle Rescue

Vehicle Rescue

Haz-Mat Awareness

Essentials of Firefighting Module I

Kentucky Department for Public Health

            Bioterrorism Awareness-Level Training

SAR Links

BCWST

NASAR

PSARC

NOVASAR

Search Gear

SAR Camp

Firefighting Links

Firehouse

Firefighting.com

Galls

Thefirestore.com