Paul West's Page

Hometown:

Jasper, Tennessee

I Live: (City, State)

Jasper, Tennessee

Years in Fire/EMS:

37 1/2

Why I Joined the Fire/EMS:

Its in the blood.

Relationship Status:

Married

Department Type:

Combination Fire Rescue Department

Rank/Role There:

Fire Chief / Chief of Department

Years With This Department/Agency

7 1/2

Other Past or Current Departments:

U.S. Air Force;
Chanute AFB, IL., Columbus AFB, MS., Dobbins AFB, GA., Castle AFB, CA., Ellsworth AFB, S.D.
Sequatchie Area (TN) Vol. Fire Dept., Jasper Vol. (TN) Fire Dept., Cobb County (GA) Police Dept., Paulding County (GA) Sheriffs Dept., Jasper (TN) Police Dept., Marion County (TN) Sheriffs Dept.

My Training:

U.S. Air Force structural and aircraft firefighting / rescue, U.S. Air Force Firefighting Instructor, Fire Investigator, Hazmat, (IFSAC )Fire Instructor III, (IFSAC)Fire Officer IV, (IFSAC)Airport Firefighter.
Tennesee Fire & Codes Enforcement Academy and Georgia P.O.S.T. Commission law enforcement training (thousands of hours combined fire & law enforcement training). Georgia certified Police Officer and Field Training Officer.

About Me:

Been in fire service and/or law enforcement most of my adult life. Was terminated for the first and only time in my life in August 2007, while serving as the first full time, paid chief of the Jasper (TN) Fire Dept. I took on a anti emergency services mayor, (not the board that created the position and hired me), after two citizens died of heart attacks with all local ambulances tied up and our trained, equipped and certified fire department was forbidden by the mayor to respond. Law suits are flying against the Town Board. My battles for fire services are known for 100 miles around.

Day Job:

Unemployed at present time

Side Jobs or Other Organizations:

Olive Branch Lodge # 297 F.& A.M., Alhambra Shrine A.A.O.N.M.S. Chattanooga, TN., National Fire Protection Association, International Association of Arson Investigators, National Association of Fire Investigators, Tennessee Association of Rescue Squads, International Asso. of Fire Chief's, Tennessee Fire Chief's Association, Tennessee Firemen's Association.

Top Issues Facing Responders:

Continued, reliable support from government going from the local level to the federal level, including citizen support.
Funding.
Manpower/manning issues.

I Love Being in Fire/EMS Because:

Its what God put inside me.