The DeWitt Fire District is a full-service combination fire department providing fire suppression, auto extrication, advanced life support first response EMS, specialty rescue and public education to the central Town of DeWitt, New York. Annual calls for service are approximately 2000 alarms. We operate from one station staffed with a combination of 21 career firefighters and officers and have 20 volunteer members. There is a residential population of 12,500 and it is estimated that 250,000 people shop, work or pass through the district on a daily basisAs Chief of Department, I serve as chief operating officer for the fire district, with typical firefighting, fire officer, fire chief duties and responsibilities. I remain a certified New York State Paramedic overseeing a progressive ALS First Response program. Supervise and direct career and volunteer department personnel in daily responsibilities and at emergency incidents, Prepare and implement operational procedures and incident action plans; implementation of administrative policy, services, and staffing levels. Oversee planning, development and delivery of fire and EMS training. Manage budget preparation and administrate expenditures with an operating budget of 4 million dollars. Responsible to coordinate and administer long range planning and objectives for fire district.

Work as part of a mission-oriented team to coordinate participation of local EMS, fire rescue, law enforcement, municipalities and other support agencies in discipline specific and inter-agency training. Develop and deliver training programs for responders in various response and preparedness arena (i.e.: MCI Program, Incident Rehabilitation program, Emerging Infectious Disease, NYS Intelligence Liaison Program). Assist with development and implementation of mutual aid programs among the various ambulance services, fire departments, law enforcement agencies, municipalities and other support organizations. Respond to emergency and disaster incidents, and participate in various meetings of EMS, fire, or public safety agencies. Act as a resource to EMS agencies relative to EMS training, EMS mass casualty incidents and EMS command structure; Assist in the development of procedures for EMS/Fire agencies; Coordinate and mediate issues between EMS, fire, law enforcement, Emergency Management, municipal and other support agencies; Deliver prescribed ILO (Intelligence Liaison Officer training program, outreach, education, and information sharing to Fire and EMS first responders regarding counter terrorism and responder safety issues – Recognized as New York State ILO of the Year 2016.

As a Senior Paramedic, provide emergency patient care at Paramedic level, oversee operation of EMS field unit, including direction of partners and coordination of other responders. Cross-training as an EMD Dispatcher in the communications division, receiving request for EMS service, provide pre-arrival instructions, coordinate EMS system resources, dispatch appropriate resources to requests for service. Former roles as a Lead Paramedic, Assistant Supervisor, assisting in the supervision of 2-10 EMS crews, assumed duties of Operations Supervisor in their absence, respond, coordinate and command personnel at emergency incidents; Coordinated local participation in national Disaster Response Team. As a Field Training Officer trained new employees in all aspects of operations, delivered CME training to employees.

Chief Advisor, Adjunct Instructor, Field Preceptor, Paramedic Training Program. Instructed and trained paramedic students in all aspects of paramedic care. Oversee Field Internship program for 15-20 paramedic students. Train and oversee 75 field preceptors and instructors in field teaching methods. Supervise and coordinate 8 clinical advisors responsible for student progress and advancement.

Duties included typical firefighter duties and responsibilities. Provide emergency patient care at Paramedic level for EMS transport. Developed first Municipal Training Program, planning, implementing and overseeing all fire and EMS training for career and volunteer staff.