I retired in June 2021 after 44 years in the fire service.. I have 28 years experience as a youth minister, having served in this capacity in four different churches. I served as pastor of Oak Grove Baptist Church starting June 28, 2009 until 2014 and as interim pastor for the previous 1 1/2 years.Before becoming a youth minister, I played drums and bass guitar in several bands and gospel singing groups.Along with this experience, I have been in the fire service since 1977. In my time in the fire service I have served as pump operator, Emergency Medical Technician, inspector, investigator, and training officer. I have served with a combination department made up of mostly volunteers, and since February 1979 I have been employed by a full paid department. My current assignment is with the division of fire prevention where I serve as an inspector and am the administrator for our reporting software, Firehouse Software. I have been in my current position since July 1997 and have been Firehouse administrator since February 2004.I also am one of the lead teachers of the Alternative Teaching Methods class for the Georgia Public Safety Training Center.