I was born in Hamburg, Germany, but moved at the age of 1 year to Oak Ridge, Tennessee where I grew up. I started my fire service career as a volunteer firefighter at 15 years old with the Marlow Volunteer Fire Department, outside of Oak Ridge. I also worked as an intern with the Oak Ridge Fire Department my senior year in high school. After I graduated, I enlisted into the U.S. Marine Corps and spent the next 4 years playing electric and string bass with the Marine Corps Band, stationed in Twentynine Palms, California. I was honorably discharged from the Marine Corps in 2003 and started college at Eastern Kentucky University. There I received two separate Bachelors’ of Science degrees; one in Fire and Safety Administration and the other in Emergency Medical Care to receive my National Registry Paramedic License. In college, I was the Vice President of the Association of Fire Science Technicians, worked as a firefighter with the City of Richmond, Kentucky, and was an EMT for Estill County E.M.S. in Irvine, Kentucky, as well as an intern with the Pleasant View Volunteer Fire Department here in middle Tennessee. After I graduated college, I moved to middle Tennessee. I started at Williamson Medical Center working as a Paramedic for about a year as well as volunteering with Pleasant View. I then gained employment as a firefighter/ paramedic with the City of Brentwood where I have worked for the past year and a half. Currently I am assigned to Engine 3, covering the south side of Brentwood. I am the Firefighter Near Miss Program Coordinator for the department, as well as on the Haz-Mat Team. I also continue to work part-time as a Paramedic with Williamson County EMS and volunteer with Pleasant View from time to time. This past year I received my IFSAC firefighter I and II as well as my Haz-Mat Awareness and Ops. I currently am working towards my Haz-Mat Technician, Rope Rescue Operations, as well as a Masters Degree in Strategic Leadership. I enjoy golfing, fishing, snow skiing, scuba diving, and working around the house I just purchased on the Cumberland River north of Lebanon, Tennessee.
Greg joined the Moyers Corners Fire Department in 1988. After rising through the ranks from firefighter, Lieutenant, Captain and on many occasions riding as the Battalion Chief, Greg was able to study from some of the best in the business in this busy upstate New York fire department.
After being hired in the fall of 1997, Greg moved to Franklin Tennessee to become a career firefighter with the Franklin Fire Department. Greg now holds the rank of Captain after riding one of the city’s three Rescue Companies for almost 7 years.
Greg has certifications as a Tennessee Auto Extrication Instructor, Tennessee Fire Department Instructor II, Fire Officer II, Safety Officer, Rope Technician, EMT, Swift Water Rescue II, IFSAC firefighter II, AHA CPR Instructor and has earned several “Green Cross” awards from Hurst.
Greg often develops and teaches State "In Service" training classes. Greg is also certified to travel and teach Tennessee's only portable flashover simulator.
Greg has been an instructor with the H.O.T. training at FDIC in Indianapolis, has coordinated the Franklin Fire Departments recruit school and has been a classroom and hands on instructor for 16 years.
Greg enjoys golf, camping and spending time with his wife of 18 years and three children.
Greg is a proud member of the Middle Tennessee FOOLS chapter.
Sean was born in Dearborn, MI and raised in South Florida. He later moved to Tennessee where he attended high school and Tennessee Tech. University where he received a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management. He entered the Fire Service in 2007 with the Putnam County Fire Department after a friend had previously joined and motivated him to become involved.
Sean quickly realized that this was a calling he had been missing and has heavily devoted himself to the education, learning, and training required in the Fire Service. “Many firefighters look at training as a cumbersome part of the job and don’t take it seriously. Training is what keeps us and our brothers and sisters in the Fire Service safe, its what allows us to go home to our loved ones and allows us to live another day to do the greatest profession in the world, being a firefighter.”
Sean has completed several classes at TFACA and is FFI certified. He will be completing the FFII practical in December as well as the NREMT First Responder test. He also has plans to attend EMT school. There is no greater calling than that of human service and I am grateful that I am part of it. Sean is hopeful to one day be a career firefighter and looks forward to a long career in the tradition that is the Fire Service
Mike was born and raised in Franklin TN. He graduated from Franklin High School in 1997 and did various jobs around Franklin. After watching his brother (James) get into and enjoy the fire service, He joined him and the Williamson County Rescue Squad in 2002. James kept going with the squad until he was hired by Franklin Fire. Both brothers received the firefighting bug from their dad (Jim) worked for Columbia Fire in the late '50's. Mike continued to volunteer with the Rescue Squad and work different jobs until I was hired by Spring Hill Fire Department in Aug. of 2004, and has loved every minute of it.
While at Spring Hill and continuing to volunteer for the squad, Mike has earned his FF I, FF II, Haz-Mat ops, Pump Operator, and Aerial Operator, First Responder, and various other certifications. He is currently pursuing his Instructor I at the present time.
Around the time he joined the rescue squad,he met his girlfriend Brandy Mangels, who was also joining the squad, she later worked for Fairview Fire and was hired by Franklin Fire in 2007.
Mike and Brandy just bought our first house and moved to Spring Hill, and have a beautiful daughter named Lilly, who was born on 9-11-06 of course. “I really enjoy being the driver engineer of SHFD's Ladder 3 and look forward to continuing the fire service and the FOOLS for a long time to come”.
After graduating from Franklin high school in 1997, Steve worked various jobs until he caught the firefighting bug and joined the Williamson County Rescue Squad in 2003.
For the next two years, he volunteered until he joined the United States Air Force as a Firefighter with the 118 Air National Guard. Steve worked to obtain numerous certifications with both IFSAC and State to include FFI, FFII, First Responded, Haz Mat Tech, ARFF, Apparatus Operator, Telecommunication and will soon be starting EMT school.
Steve has served with the Air Guard overseas on a few occasions that include a five month deployment as a Firefighter to Bagdad International Airport. While serving in Iraq, Steve was part of the joint mission with other guardsmen in emergency response to Fixed wing and rotary aircraft, structure fires, fuel spills , haz mat incidents and IED standbys.
Steve has recentlyaccepted a position with the Fort Campbell Fire Department as a civilian firefighter.
Steve and his wife Tiffany reside in Spring Hill with their new family member puppy,"Crypto".
Steve enjoys adding pieces to his Superman Collection and working on his art pieces.
The Middle TN executive Board would like to thank Steve and all our other Fire Service Brothers who served and protected our country while in the United States Military.
Robbie started in the fire service in 2006 with the Pleasant View Volunteer Fire Department where he is still an active member also serves as a member of the training committee. He also works part time as a Fire Inspector for the dept. Robbie feels that training should be one of the most important aspects of any department.
Robbie has numerous state certifications, such as: FF I and II, Fire Instructor I, EMT I.V., Haz-Mat Opps, Rope Tech I and II. Robbie is very active in sharing with others the knowledge that he has gained.
Robbie has been married for 13 years and has two girls and one boy. Paige, Hayden, and Shelby. He has owned and operated his own business in residential construction for 11 years.
For the past seven years, Franklin Firefighter Perry Phillips has volunteered his time to help coordinate Camp Phoenix, a week-long camp for child burn victims.
Perry said Camp Phoenix provides children who have survived traumatic burn injuries with a fun summer camp experience in a non-threatening environment. “It gives them a chance to interact with other kids who have had similar experiences,” said Perry. He said the goal of the camp is, “To just let them be a kid for a week and forget about all the scars and things they might have gone through.” Children who have survived second and third degree burn injuries enjoy typical camp activities such as swimming, water skiing, tubing, jet-ski rides, fire truck rides, making crafts and music and dancing.
“I’ll never forget one of the first years I volunteered, there was a 12-year old girl with severe burns on her face, hands, head, neck, chest, back and arms. She came to me crying and kept saying, ‘People here want to play with me. People here want to be my friends.’ I couldn’t understand what the problem was. She said, ‘I’ve never had this before.'”
This year’s event was held May 25-30 at Indian Creek Camp in Liberty, Tenn. There were 18 campers, ages 6-16, each of whom participated free of charge, thanks to the Tennessee Firefighter Burn Foundation (TFBF). The TFBF, a 501 C 3 organization whose mission is to assist burn survivors with recovery, sponsors and organizes Camp Phoenix. Perry is the TFBF Secretary and Treasurer. He said they meet monthly and hold fundraisers throughout the year to cover the camp costs, which average $550 per camper.
Perry is modest about his contributions to the organization, and is quick to point out several others who have helped make the camp a success, particularly Firefighters Local #3758. “Without their financial help and personnel who have given their time, this camp would not be possible,” said Perry.
For more information about Camp Phoenix and for volunteer opportunities, visit the Tennessee Firefighters Burn Foundation website at www.tnfbf.org.
Jamie started in the fire service in 2002 at the Town of Hull Fire Department in Stevens Point, Wisconsin. Jamie is a fourth generation fire fighter. (Jamie’s family has been continuously fighting fires since 1933). He graduated from the three year live-in internship at the Town of Madison Fire Department in Madison Wisconsin. While there, he earned his Firefighter 1 & 2 certifications, Paramedic license, Associate Degree in Fire Protection and various other certifications.
Jamie spent a short time with Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources as a wild land fire fighter.
He moved to Tennessee in 2007, after being hired by the Spring Hill FD. After working for Spring Hill for a year, he was hired by Franklin Fire Department, and assigned to Station 2, Rescue-2. Jamie has the unique ability to “interpret” things while on shift.
Jamie joined the Mid Ten F.O.O.L.S. in November, 2008. He is also a volunteer with Williamson County Rescue Squad and a part-time EMT instructor for Columbia State Community College.
Jamie has been married to Kim for 3 years and resides in Spring Hill.
Shawn entered into the fire service in 1999 with the Orion Township Fire Department in Lake Orion, Michigan. In January of 2002, Shawn moved to Tennessee to accept a Firefighter position with the Brentwood Fire Department and in May of 2005 accepted a position with the Franklin Fire Department, where he currently works as a Firefighter at Station 6 on B-shift, riding E6. In addition to his position, he also is a Volunteer Firefighter with the Wilson County Emergency Management Agency.
Shawn has attended various courses at the TFACA and holds Firefighter Certifications in both the States of Michigan (Firefighter I and II) and Tennessee (Firefighter I & II, Fire Apparatus Operator, Fire Officer I & II, Fire Safety Officer, and Fire Instructor I) and a Fire Science degree from Macomb Community College in Warren, MI. Shawn currently is in the process of completing courses to become a Paramedic through Columbia State Community College.
Shawn is a charter member of the Middle Tennessee FOOLS.
Shawn lives in Mt. Juliet with his wife and small son.
Phillip started his career in the fire service as a fire fighter in 1981 with the Gary, IN Fire Department. In March 1990 he was hired on the Nashville Fire Department as a fire fighter/EMT and was promoted in 1993 to Fire Inspector. Phillip has had various assignments in code enforcement and investigations and currently serves as Assistant Fire Marshal of code enforcement/specialized section.
Phillip enjoys sharing his knowledge of fire investigation with students at Volunteer State Community College where he is an instructor in the Fire Science program. He also volunteer’s with the Nashville Fireman’s Credit Union for the past six years, and was just elected to the Board of Directors.
Phillip is married to Kim and the father of three children-- Robert, Ashlee & Phillip and one granddaughter. Phillip has been a member of the Middle TN F.O.O.L.S. for several years and attends almost every meeting and function.
Jeff entered the Fire Service in 2006 with Putnam County Fire Department after being inspired by an article in the local newspaper. Since then, Jeff has achieved the Senior Firefighter status as well as Engineer for Engine Co. 24. He also is a part-time EMT-IV for Putnam County EMS. Jeff currently holds a FFI Certification and will be challenging the FFII written exam this spring. He was attended numerous courses at TFACA and has several certificates of completions from FEMA. He currently is employed as a Certified Surgical Technologist and Surgical First Assistant at 3 different hospitals in the Upper Cumberland Area. Jeff hopes to be a paid Firefighter in the near future as he believes that is his calling.
Jeff is married to Jennifer and has a daughter Kaelyn who will be turning 2 years old on March 29th. The most rewarding thing Jeff finds about the Fire Service is the dedication to the profession itself. No matter how insignificant the task may be, he believes it should be carried out with the upmost pride and attention to detail.
Keith started in the fire service in 1991 with the Dickson County Rescue Squad as a junior member at the age of 15. He stayed active in the Squad until 1993 when he enlisted with the United States Navy. After boot camp and ATD school he was assigned to the USS Wasp LHD-1 in Norfolk, Virginia. While aboard the Wasp, Keith participated in operation Uphold / Restore Democracy in Haiti and Nato Operation Strong Resolve in Northern Europe. After his enlistment was fulfilled in 1995 Keith returned back home to pursue a career in the fire service and to complete his reserve obligation with the Navy. Keith was employed by the City of Dickson Water Department for a short period until he was able to transfer to the Fire Department. Keith was employed with Dickson until March 2007 when he was hired by the City of Franklin Fire Department. Keith now holds the following certifications, Firefighter 1 and 2 commission, Apparatus operator commission, haz-mat tech, emt-IV, and a TARS extrication technician from 1991- present. Keith lives in Dickson with his wife Stacey and 2 kids, Logan and Lauren.
The Middle TN executive Board would like to thank Keith and all our other Fire Service Brothers who served and protected our country while in the United States Military
Ben started his fire service career while attending Auburn University in Auburn, Alabama. He began as a volunteer in 1992 with Southwest Fire Department, rising to the rank of Captain, while also serving as a paid firefighter with the Auburn Fire Division.
In 1997 he moved back to his home state of Tennessee to begin work with Franklin. He rose through the ranks from Firefighter, Engineer, Lieutenant to Captain, where he now serves at Station 5, housing Engine-5 and Ladder-5. Ben is very active teaching probies during Franklins recruit school, coordinates Franklin Citizens' Fire Academy and has taught in in Tennessee and in other states with 1-Source Training Consultants.
Ben holds numerous state and technical certifications including Apparatus Operator, Fire Officer I, Instructor I, Fire Safety Officer, Rope Technician, Swiftwater Technician and Vehicle Extrication Technician. He has attended classes at the National Fire Academy, FDIC, and the Tennessee Fire and Codes Academy.
Ben lives in Columbia, TN with his wife and three children. He enjoys deer and turkey hunting, working on antique cars, and playing with his three girls. Ben is the "Membership Trustee" with the Middle Tennessee F.O.O.L.S.
Frank entered the fire service in 2002 with the Arrington Volunteer Fire Department following in many of his family’s footsteps. He comes from a long line of firefighters, to include volunteer, paid and officers. After serving just over one year Frank achieved the rank of Lieutenant in 2003 and served as such until promoted to Captain in February 2004, where he continues to serve the department.
Frank believes that training in all aspects in the fire service is key to coming home alive on any call. He feels all departments and the members of, should pay more attention to their training programs to better serve the community, their department and themselves.
In the past few years Frank has been pleased to see his children Justin and Megan have decided to follow the tradition of firefighting. He is also grateful for his father, Frank Sr., for introducing him to the fire service. Along with his brother Chris for showing him the ropes.
From 1994 to 1996 he attended Columbia State Community College and currently works for Cunat Inc. along with teaching BLS across the country.
Frank has attended several training sessions and is also certified in the following disciplines;
National Certificates: Training Operations in Small Dept., Preparation for Initial Company Operations. FEMA Certifications: Leadership I, ICS100, ICS200, IS800, IS700 TN State Certifications: Basic Firefighting, Live Firefighting, Ladders-Streams-Salvage-Forcible Entry, Managing Co. Tactical Ops, Training Ops, Initial Response to Hazardous, Materials, Strategy and Tactics, Leadership I.
State of TN Health: First Responder since 2002. TARS: Vehicle Extrication. American Heart: Instructor. Along with several other certificates from local agencies. Education is the key.
Frank realizes more each day what the fire service and the brotherhood means to him. He wishes to do more to pass on the tradition to his fellow firefighters and the public in general through training, education and DTRT.
Jeff is the State of Tennessee Fire Prevention Education Officer and PIO with the state Fire Marshal's office. Jeff is the state Coordinator for Home Safety Councils Home Safety Literacy Project and has completed several classes at the National Fire Academy, as well as the Tennessee Fire & Codes Enforcement Academy.
For the past 3 years he has been selected as a peer reviewer for the AFG Fire Prevention & Safety Grant Program, and is one of the founding members of the Tennessee Firefighters Burn Foundation.
After having a successful 15 year career as a Commercial Photographer Jeff was drawn into the fire service out of a need in his very rural community. Jeff helped to rebuild a failing Volunteer Fire Dept. where he served as Fire Chief for 7 years, and is still a Firefighter their 16 years later.
Acting on the suggestion of his wife, he pursued a position with a career dept. Jeff was a Firefighter for the City of Franklin for 7 years and as a result of his Fire Prevention efforts he was awarded City of Franklin “Employee of the Quarter” on September 11, 2001.
In 2006 Jeff was chosen as Public Fire Educator of the Year by the State of Tennessee and shortly thereafter took the position of Fire Prevention Education Officer & PIO for the Tennessee State Fire Marshal’s Office.
Jeff believes that Fire Prevention education is the key to reduce the number of fire deaths, the risk of injury and senseless deaths to Firefighters.
Jeff resides on a farm on peaceful Cordell Hull Lake with his wonderful daughter Avalon and his beautiful wife of 17 years, who is also a Firefighter and the reigning Mrs. Tennessee U.S. International.
Dave joined the fire service in 2001 with Pleasant View Volunteer Fire Department where he is still an active member. Dave is heavily involved with the training program at Pleasant View Volunteer Fire Department and the Cheatham County Firefighters' Association Training Committee. Dave is a career firefighter with Nashville Fire.
State Certifications: Firefighter II, HazMat Ops, Fire Instructor I, Fire Inspector I, Fire Officer I, EMT-IV
Other Certifications: Extrication Technician, Flashover Simulator Instructor, Low Angle Rope Rescue, National Fire Academy Classes: Presenting Effective Public Education Programs, Community Education Leadership, Changing American Families at Risk, Discovering the Road to High-Risk Audiences, Leadership I, Leadership & Administration.
Dave has a bachelor of arts degree in Radio & Television Broadcasting and had a 22 year career as a photojournalist and producer in television. He has had a 'back stage pass' to life in TV before starting a second career as a firefighter where he has an 'all access pass' to help those in need. Dave believes in the tradition of the fire service to 'pass it along' with the belief that training is a key tool in prevention education so EVERYONE goes home!
Dave is a career firefighter with the Nashville Fire Department. He has been married for almost 20 years and enjoys spending time with his wife, 2 daughters and his son.
Greg joined the Moyers Corners Fire Department in 1988. After rising through the ranks from firefighter, Lieutenant, Captain and on many occasions riding as the Battalion Chief, Greg was able to study from some of the best in the business in this busy upstate New York fire department.
Sean was born in Dearborn, MI and raised in South Florida. He later moved to Tennessee where he attended high school and Tennessee Tech. University where he received a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management. He entered the Fire Service in 2007 with the Putnam County Fire Department after a friend had previously joined and motivated him to become involved. 
Mike was born and raised in Franklin TN. He graduated from Franklin High School in 1997 and did various jobs around Franklin. After watching his brother (James) get into and enjoy the fire service, He joined him and the Williamson County Rescue Squad in 2002. James kept going with the squad until he was hired by Franklin Fire. 
After graduating from Franklin high school in 1997, Steve worked various jobs until he caught the firefighting bug and joined the Williamson County Rescue Squad in 2003. 
Robbie started in the fire service in 2006 with the Pleasant View Volunteer Fire Department where he is still an active member also serves as a member of the training committee. He also works part time as a Fire Inspector for the dept. Robbie feels that training should be one of the most important aspects of any department. 
For the past seven years, Franklin Firefighter Perry Phillips has volunteered his time to help coordinate Camp Phoenix, a week-long camp for child burn victims.
Jamie started in the fire service in 2002 at the Town of Hull Fire Department in Stevens Point, Wisconsin. Jamie is a fourth generation fire fighter. (Jamie’s family has been continuously fighting fires since 1933). He graduated from the three year live-in internship at the Town of Madison Fire Department in Madison Wisconsin. While there, he earned his Firefighter 1 & 2 certifications, Paramedic license, Associate Degree in Fire Protection and various other certifications. 
Shawn entered into the fire service in 1999 with the Orion Township Fire Department in Lake Orion, Michigan. In January of 2002, Shawn moved to Tennessee to accept a Firefighter position with the Brentwood Fire Department and in May of 2005 accepted a position with the Franklin Fire Department, where he currently works as a Firefighter at Station 6 on B-shift, riding E6. In addition to his position, he also is a Volunteer Firefighter with the Wilson County Emergency Management Agency.
Phillip started his career in the fire service as a fire fighter in 1981 with the Gary, IN Fire Department. In March 1990 he was hired on the Nashville Fire Department as a fire fighter/EMT and was promoted in 1993 to Fire Inspector. Phillip has had various assignments in code enforcement and investigations and currently serves as Assistant Fire Marshal of code enforcement/specialized section.
Jeff entered the Fire Service in 2006 with Putnam County Fire Department after being inspired by an article in the local newspaper. Since then, Jeff has achieved the Senior Firefighter status as well as Engineer for Engine Co. 24. He also is a part-time EMT-IV for Putnam County EMS. Jeff currently holds a FFI Certification and will be challenging the FFII written exam this spring. He was attended numerous courses at TFACA and has several certificates of completions from FEMA. He currently is employed as a Certified Surgical Technologist and Surgical First Assistant at 3 different hospitals in the Upper Cumberland Area. Jeff hopes to be a paid Firefighter in the near future as he believes that is his calling. 
Keith started in the fire service in 1991 with the Dickson County Rescue Squad as a junior member at the age of 15. He stayed active in the Squad until 1993 when he enlisted with the United States Navy. After boot camp and ATD school he was assigned to the USS Wasp LHD-1 in Norfolk, Virginia. While aboard the Wasp, Keith participated in operation Uphold / Restore Democracy in Haiti and Nato Operation Strong Resolve in Northern Europe. After his enlistment was fulfilled in 1995 Keith returned back home to pursue a career in the fire service and to complete his reserve obligation with the Navy. Keith was employed by the City of Dickson Water Department for a short period until he was able to transfer to the Fire Department. Keith was employed with Dickson until March 2007 when he was hired by the City of Franklin Fire Department. Keith now holds the following certifications, Firefighter 1 and 2 commission, Apparatus operator commission, haz-mat tech, emt-IV, and a TARS extrication technician from 1991- present. Keith lives in Dickson with his wife Stacey and 2 kids, Logan and Lauren.
Ben started his fire service career while attending Auburn University in Auburn, Alabama. He began as a volunteer in 1992 with Southwest Fire Department, rising to the rank of Captain, while also serving as a paid firefighter with the Auburn Fire Division. 
Frank entered the fire service in 2002 with the Arrington Volunteer Fire Department following in many of his family’s footsteps. He comes from a long line of firefighters, to include volunteer, paid and officers. After serving just over one year Frank achieved the rank of Lieutenant in 2003 and served as such until promoted to Captain in February 2004, where he continues to serve the department.
Jeff is the State of Tennessee Fire Prevention Education Officer and PIO with the state Fire Marshal's office. Jeff is the state Coordinator for Home Safety Councils Home Safety Literacy Project and has completed several classes at the National Fire Academy, as well as the Tennessee Fire & Codes Enforcement Academy.
Dave joined the fire service in 2001 with Pleasant View Volunteer Fire Department where he is still an active member. Dave is heavily involved with the training program at Pleasant View Volunteer Fire Department and the Cheatham County Firefighters' Association Training Committee. Dave is a career firefighter with Nashville Fire.
