Where are you from and how did you come to live in Jackson? I’m from Richmond, VI. I came out to go skiing in 2012 with some college friends, and I came back out after that and got a job at the ski resort as a lifty. Then I started volunteering at Station 3.

When did you start volunteering there? In 2015. 

What was your inspiration to do that? I don’t know…I wanted to be a greater part of the Hoback community. I don’t think I met anyone on the department, I just saw an ad for volunteers and applied and started volunteering. I was hired full time exactly four years ago, on January 28, 2019. Best job I ever had.

What do you do in your free time? Fish.

What is your role in the department? Firefighter/EMT-I. 

What are your current certifications beyond those? Wildland Engine Boss, ADO…I got to go on a bunch of wildfires as a volunteer. 

What are your future goals in the department? Eventually, I want to become a paramedic. 

What about future goals for the department? Maybe just expand our services, expand our reach. Also to staff the station in Hoback.

Favorite part of the job? My coworkers.

Most challenging? Being away from my family.

What advice would you give new recruits? Embrace the suck? I don’t know ummm…yeah put the time in, show up as much as possible, learn as much as possible, and get to know as many people as possible. 

What do you wish you had known when starting? That the closest paramedic program is in another state, six hours away. 

What is the most valuable trait for someone to have in the department? Understanding. You’ve got to understand people, where they are coming from, and get along with anybody.

What do you think you bring to the department? Comedic relief, reliability, and hard work.

Who do you look up to the most? Captain Dunn and Captain Carr.