Over 30 Years on the Job - The Fire Service

Started with the Fairfax Volunteer Fire Department as a young man of 20 in 1976. Got hired as the first firefighter when the City of Fairfax VA broke away from Fairfax County VA to form their own fire department.

I was majoring in justice at American University in Washington DC. In those days the social acceptance of police and law enforcement was unfortunately pretty low. I ran into a friend (Jimmy McGrath) who I knew from highschool (Oakton High, Oakton VA - class of 74). We met a James Madison College during a beerfest weekend...he convinced me to stop by fire station 3 in Fairfax City and he would give me a tour of the station and introduce me around.

The visit to the station changed my life forever. After about 10 minutes the station tones were heard and there was a structure fire somewhere in the immediate area. I was left standing in the middle of the bay floor watching the rigs pull out onto the ramp and dissappear down the street with the lights flashing and the sirens screaming into the afternoon.....I felt then, what I still feel today....an excitement that still grips me every time the station tones sound.

Well I joined the Fairfax Volunteer Fire Department that day and I have had my 15 minutes of fame for the last 30+ years....I was hired as the first career firefighter on Feb 27, 1978 when the City of Fairfax Fire & Rescue Service was formed. A total of 39 firefighters were hired out of 1800 applicants.

I was hired as a driver on Engine 45 assinged to "C" shift. The unit name was later changed to Rescue Engine 433. Today we are called the City of Fairfax Fire Department and have grown to our current staffing of about 70 career members and 40 active volunteer members.

Well I am coming to the end of it as of January 1, 2009. I have served as a driver/opreator, Fire Inspection, Deputy Fire Marshal, Chief Fire Marshal, Sergeant, Lieutenant, Captain and currently as Battalion Chief of "A" shift.

Well it has been a good ride and retirement is around the corner....