About Me

July 1960 to May 1997.

• began employment with GFC in this capacity
• flew Cessna type patrol aircraft and Bell 47 type helicopter in hardwood defoliation practice; VTOL and sprayer type aircraft

• Served in this capacity for 23 years.
• Provided assistance to fire departments in the state of GA as follows:
  • Provided Master Fire Plans for counties which would enable them to initiate structural fire protection where there had been none
  • Taught classes dealing ISO Fire Suppression Rating Schedule for both the pressurized water delivery and alternate water supply portions
  • Taught classes on fire pumps, their water delivery capabilities, shuttle operations, wildland interface operations, apparatus specifications, dry hydrants and drafting operations
  • Provided pre-ISO preparations and surveys throughout the state
  • Performed pump tests on class “A” fire apparatus, both annual and initial (3 hour) tests
  • Wrote up and administered federal assistance grants (RCFP) for 22 years,
  • Responsible for the program whereby fire departments received excess forestry and federal excess vehicles
  • Provided specifications to fire departments to purchase chassis for the Forestry Commission to mount class 9 ISO rating type fire units, mobile water supply units, and front-mounted class “A” fire pump units (this included all the purchasing, construction/assembly, and installation operations for these three type units in the state); this involved providing specs for medium class [35,000# GWV] pumpers and tankers)
  • Instrumental in the initial use of class A foam for fire suppression and the use of the devices which administer the concentrate into the water flow (not only for structural fire suppression but for use in wildland fire suppression)
  • Constructed a large diameter hose unit with front mount pump, power wind/re-wind reel with 2000 feet of 4” LDH and all accessories/adapters necessary for operations within the state of Georgia; instructed and demonstrated use of hose and water flow operations and equipment throughout state
  • Ordered and constructed 2 CAFS units, also using front mount pumps
  • Provided wildland fire water supply for GFC (engines and helicopters) – portable pumps, dump tanks, large diameter hose with 1100 gpm diesel engine driven pump for use in fires requiring long term duration and consistent water supply
  • Assisted with the informational and photo set up portions for the publication of the NFPA booklet (and video) “Operation Water” that were made in the state of Georgia.
• Flew both the B-26 and UH-1 helicopter (with bucket) in the aerial delivery of water on forest fires.
• Flew B-26 equipped with tanks for the old type retardant drops (mono and diamonium phosphate – ALSO CALLED SLURRY); for 6 years flew Huey type helicopter with water bucket drops.
• Was a member of the state-wide committee of the Resource, Conservation, and Development (RC&D) which established the national standards for the creditation of the dry hydrant portion of the Oil Overcharge Program; was responsible for the material in the manual used in the national program – have drawn, installed, and/or inspected and tested in excess of 2500 dry hydrants in the state of GA
• Member of the NFPA Forest and Rural Committee for past 21 years – this committee is responsible for the Standards on volunteer fire departments, class A foam (manufacturing standard, testing, and application use by fire departments), wildland urban interface building construction and placement in the wildland environment, and water supply (tankers, dry hydrants, shuttle, portable pumps, large diameter hose)
• Member of the initial NFPA committee responsible for the creation of the standard establishing the criteria for accreditation of wildland fire fighting personnel (NFPA 1051)

• Wrote the new Alternate Water Supply chapter in the 18th edition of the NFPA Fire Protection Handbook. Other listed author was one of the personnel at the NFPA Headquarters in Quincy as this is standard for all writings of this nature when they are published.
• Consulting on ISO pre-surveys as well as teaching and setting up fire department response areas for alternate water supply operations and future ISO surveys for that type operation.
• Wrote, and teach, the course, “Pressurized Water Systems”, for the Georgia Fire Academy. This is designed to familiarize fire department personnel with all the aspects of a pressurized water system, the various types of systems, static and residual pressures, fire hydrants as well as their inspection and testing processes.
• Currently teach the ISO Fire Suppression Rating Schedule Rating classes at the both in the field and at the Fire Academy as an instructor.
• Presently writing Pre-fire planning course for Georgia Fire Academy presentation
• Writing, for committee approval, the curriculum for the Alternative Water Supply course for the Georgia Fire Academy

• Attended University of Georgia. 1952 - 56. Graduated with Bachelor of Science, Forestry
  • Member of Aghon (Agricultural Honor Society) and Scabbard and Blade (ROTC Honor Society)
• Served in US Army from 1956 - 1960; Army aviator / 1st Lt.; served with 6thArmored Cavalry Regiment as Battalion Aviation Officer – served remained of 24 years with Army Reserve and Ga. Army National Guard - retired as Major with Master Army Aviator wings
• Aviation experience is 6000+ hours in fixed wing and rotary wing with single and multi –engine qualifications (gas and turbine engines) in both types and instrument ratings in both categories
• US Army Reserve and GA Army National Guard
  • Aviator (have the Master Army Aviator badge)
    • accumulated in excess of 7,000 flying hours in fixed and rotary wing (gas and turbine engine, single and twin engine with instrument ratings in both);
    • served as Brigade Aviation Officer for the GA Army National Guard 48th Infantry Brigade
    • imagery interpretation officer in 158th Aviation Company (OV1 Mohawk)
• Coached Little League baseball and football for 12 years
• Coached youth soccer for 3 years
• Assistant Scout Master of Boy Scout Troop 550 for 15 years
  • Wood Badge Instructor (three beads)
• Officiated Georgia high school baseball and football (GHSA) for 12 years