May 1985 - April 2021
In April 1978, Parley Wynn & Doug Rosin visited several businesses in the area, (Simplot, Rockford welding, Rocky Mountain Machinery and the Snake River School District). Due to the 1% tax initiative they were looking for volunteers to help @ the Rockford and Blackfoot Fire Depts. at nights and on weekends. I was employed at Rocky Mountain Machinery and decided I was interested in doing that on the side.
Through that summer the people they had contacted, (about 20 of us) went through a 108 hour volunteer fireman training course. We then started the Basic EMT course which was about 81 hours of intensive medical training followed by a 40 hour extrication course!
I qualified and finished the EMT certification along with nine others that year which ultimately started my career as an EMT/Fireman.
ln 1979 I began the Advanced EMT course which consisted of learning to give lV's, intubations and observing surgeries etc. (about twice the hours of the Basic EMT course). I completed that about midyear and worked at the Fire Dept. as a volunteer.
During the year of 1984 I was working about as much at the Fire Dept. as l was @ Rocky Mountain Machinery, filling a lot of open shifts @ the Fire Dept. as well as painting fire trucks and doing mechanics on the trucks. Chief Wynn asked if I was interested in working full time.
ln the spring of 1985 I left Rocky Mountain Machinery and Howard Harrington and started working full time at the Blackfoot Fire Dept. I began a satisfying career rendering help to many people in the community. My career spanned 35 years and I never regretted any of the time I spent at the department. I was very fortunate to have had a career that I loved and thoroughly enjoyed!
ln the spring of 2020 at the age of 71, I decided I was getting a little too old to be climbing on roofs of burning buildings etc. and decided it was time to retire. I retired just as the Covid-19 Pandemic hit, (April 2021, which was also fortunate!
I still help occasionally at the Fire Department when the need arises. I enjoy spending time doing a little towing with my four tow trucks, teaching a few classes on Emergency Preparedness and spending time with family and especially my thirteen grandkids!!
My retirement get-together will be held on October 8th, 2021 @ 7:00p.m. @ the church on 187 N. Ash St. Blackfoot (across the street from The Blackfoot Fire Dept).