Questions about teaching while working full time in the fire department:1) Has teaching improved your “on the job” performance in the fire department or vice versa, and if so, how? “Teaching has hurt me and helped me in the fire service. I have to keep up with the latest trends in the firefighting industry. This is a plus for most people in the fire department because it is clear that most crews are keeping up with current trends. Unfortunately, the officers like the training there (old school), so what I know is sometimes looked down upon as (by-the-book) firefighters. 2) How do you balance work, teaching, and home life so they all work together smoothly? It hasn't always been easy, but my family has been my greatest resource. They understand that I love my job, but they also understand that I love teaching. Teaching requires me to make several trips across the state and even though my family doesn't like it, they understand. However, there are times when the stress is full. 3) Do you integrate work with teaching or vice versa, and if so, how do you do it? “Yes, my officer is also an SCFA instructor, so we teach a lot of rookies and recruits on shift. We spend 8 hours a day teaching and then complete the normal shift on the aircraft as active crew.4) Would you be able to immediately hire a full time teaching position? I took the shift. I lost my left leg while working at MVA, so I can't teach while at the gym but have been offered a full time position at SCFA if I can't return to truck. 5) Is there a difference between your workload regarding teaching and your full-time job, if so, can you explain it to me? .....ach.”3) Are special licenses required for this position?“No”4) What certifications must be obtained for this position?“Fire Instructor I”5) Why did you choose this career specialty?“Just how we teach to our new students, every person in the fire department is expected to contribute a specialty, this helps you stand out and we can't all learn everything. It's just too much. I started by specializing in water rescue. I am a PADI certified dive master and Rescue Diver. I later realized that I liked being in front of a classroom much more. I could make a bigger difference and do it more often. Once I figured this out, I went out and got as many course teaching certifications as I could. I just can't describe it, it's a great feeling to see a student who doesn't understand something or click with something. I think I do it for selfish reasons, I just love teaching.”