I spent 5 fantastic years volunteering as a LT with the Virginia Beach EMS Marine Rescue. I was in charge of 6 trucks, 3 ATVs, 3 Jet Ski's and all rescue equipment on them. Many cold nights were spent recovering cars from icy waters and running dive calls but it was great times with great friends! Here I am checking equipment between calls to ensure ready mode. This truck has 5 ready rigs and 2 HELO rigs. Virginia Beach is one of only three groups in the country with civilian members certified and allowed to Rescue Diver Deploy from coast guard helicopters.
The first truck we had in the dive team was a retired fire truck, it was the oldest truck in the city fleet and they had to force us to give it up. Even though it smelled of fumes in the cab from cracking floor boards and even though we had three brand new Expedition trucks and a $250,000 tactical truck many of us felt this was an old war wagon which should be revered for all it has been through and atleast be kept as an antique city icon. Alas, the city sent it to the scrap yard and many a fine times and great rescue stories lost a great icon when it was scrapped. We'll miss ya Truck 4.
Me on left checking out our new weather station equipment to monitor hazardous oceanic weather via radar and webcams 15 stories above the ocean front.
Me in winter gear and ATV's waiting for deployment to search for drowning victims at ocean front
Daytime beach operations working as rescue swimmer supervisor
One of numerous drills with me and partner searching for drowning victims to maintain skill readiness
Volunteering as additional medic on Ambulance when city required backup units
Winter of 2005 had the most cars sliding into waterways on record and some days had us refilling all 19 air tanks
Relaxing after a dive two miles off shore
Ranger my rescue K9 at the station watching me clean trucks
This is me on the Jetski with custom waterproofed two way radio
and this is what it looks like on summer patrol
Fantastic views
I would pull 1 of the 3 Ski's out of the water each week and provide free maintenance for city
I inspected and provided free bodyshop work when needed free of charge
Of course trucks on the beach is fun but they require LOTS of cleaning, cleaning and more cleaning
Me getting ready to test a new wreck diving rig
I was certified to handle all boats in our inventory and transported each to mechanics monthly for maintenance
Me in barn getting ready to work as Bullfighter and then photo collages of me in blue shirt with white stripe
My additional hobbies are boxing and karate (1st dan black belt TaeKwonDo and Hapkido) and powerlifting (won 2 police and fireman titles in 2005). I am also into four wheeling, mountain climbing, airboating and riding horses.
