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TheBattalion.tv Firefighter Series - Fire, EMS, Rescue, Training

About

My name is Kevin and I live life in two speeds; a constant state of fast forward and exhaustion. I was raised in Easton, Maryland; a small, historical town on the Eastern Shore of the state. I enjoy playing and watching baseball, traveling and fishing. Growing up, I was surrounded by firemen. Family, close friends of my family, baseball coaches, teachers, etc. Blue collar hard workers. I have always been intrigued by the job of a fireman. Since my adult life, I have developed a stronger understanding and comprehensive analysis on what it takes to get civilians to understand exactly what it is that we do in the fire service. The dedication, passion, pride, motivation, and courage that it takes to not simply ride on big, loud fire trucks, but to perform efficiently and effectively when lives are on the line. I started volunteering in my hometown during my teenage years. That was my first foundation. After graduation, I attended a local community college and continued playing baseball, as baseball has and will always be a large part of my life. Baseball taught me much more than I had ever imagined and I use those experiences and values still every day in the fire service. During junior college, I moved to Lanham, MD to become a “live-in” volunteer fireman at West Lanham Hills VFD #28. This was my second foundation and most significant decision of my life in relation to me becoming a fireman. Located just a few miles outside of the District of Columbia, Prince George’s County is often referred to as a “gold mine” for firefighters striving to gain experience and learn the intricate trade of this job. I am still an active member of the department. After two years of college, I was hired in Annapolis, MD where I worked as a career fireman/medic for almost 5 years. I then moved my career to Wilmington, DE where I currently am employed as a fireman. I have been exposed to various other career/volunteer departments and my open minded, respectful approach has brought me to where I am today. Much of my insight and interest in film has been through my step-father Doug George. A man who retired as a Lt. Col. in the U.S. Air Force, he has taught me as much as anyone about life, challenges, success, failure, drive and passion. He probably doesn’t even realize it. He has an eye for photography. He was my hometown volunteer fire department photographer for many years and constantly had his camera to capture moments and experiences over the years. I always took the time to not only visualize his amazing digital photos, but I tried to feel what he was feeling as he got that one breathe-taking photograph. After a few years in the fire service, I wanted to find a way to portray our everyday lives as firemen. While photographs will always represent bold imagination and expression, I wanted to show it through real time on film. Society was evolving with the internet, YouTube, etc. I also developed an uncanny ability to put together motivating clips for members specific to my department/jurisdiction. I wanted the drive that I have to be great in the fire service to be portrayed and felt by my viewers. I have never taken a formal film editing or production class, but it is surely on my list of goals/objectives. I have two quotes I live by: “A kid might be seeing a fireman for the first time today, we owe them our best” “One day or one night, at one time and one place. It will all matter. Better be ready.”