Who are we? Who are our members? Over the course of numerous articles in the media names aren’t always there, the word “firefighter, or officer, or cadet,” are often used when referring to situations. To really understand how the FCFD functions however, we want you to know a little more.
We are volunteers, technically paid per call according to how the state and federal reporting systems would classify us. We come from a variety of backgrounds, experience, demographic, careers, education, and for the most part what bonds and ties our firefighters together IS firefighting. Outside of the walls of the FCFD we are all employed part/full time in a variety of fields. We have people in maintenance/facilities management, machinists, construction workers, information technology, farmers, truck drivers, security officers, deputy wardens, police officers, those who do general labor/trades, and those who work part/full time fire positions outside of the district. We have an amazing wealth of knowledge and experience that we bring to the table whether in training or on the scene.
Line firefighters are those that have successfully completed their training requirements (36, 120, 240), probationary requirements, and all required check offs per department policy. Our firefighters are trained at various levels from the Ohio, basic 36-hour class, to the 120-hour (Firefighter I) level, and even the 240-hour (Firefighter II) professional level. Beyond this training many of our firefighters are also trained in extrication, heavy rescue, rope rescue, trench rescues, structural collapse, water rescue, ice rescue, rescue diving, fire instructors, fire safety inspectors, and a variety of other areas.
Our chief is voted upon by the fire board yearly and the Chief appoints the Assistant Chief yearly. Our officers (Lieutenant/Captains) go through a promotion process involving, written knowledge tests, an interview process, and a tabletop exercise before being selected to their position. Officers are required to have the line firefighter skills in addition to others for their position.
Fire cadets are our high school aged component to our family at the FCFD. Beginning with their freshman year in high school they can apply to join the program and then attend a summer long rigorous training program that closely mimics the same Ohio 36-hour firefighter certification. This training prepares them for the duties that they are permitted to perform within their position as a cadet. Our academy also prepares them for the ability to easily complete their initial firefighter training once they turn 18 if they choose to become a firefighter with our district. Cadets are permitted to perform a variety of tasks on the fire ground and in training. They can assist firefighters with getting equipment, setting up ladders, changing SCBA bottles, doing rehab, water supply setup, assisting with public safety events, and a long list of other potential duties. Yearly we attend local schools to recruit new cadets.
YOUR firefighters proudly serving the Fredericktown Community Fire District are:
Chief Scott Mast
Assistant Chief Dwayne Canter
Captain Shane Smith
Captain Tony Schwartz
Lieutenant Cody Beacom
Lieutenant Jeremy Moss
Lieutenant Charles Swank
Lieutenant J.P. Murphy
Lieutenant Kevin Suain
Jason Bostic
Jason Whaley
Bernie Douglas
Heath Kempton
Anthony Reed
Bronson Mast
Carmen Kyle
Andrew McNeil
Hunter McVay
Josh Staats
David Bennett
Dalton Canter
Brayden Mast
Ben Beever
Dale McVay
Ronny Flynn
Seth Popham
YOUR Cadets proudly serving are:
Cadet Lieutenant Rhylee Wilson
Cadet Lieutenant Haley Rook
Mason DeChant
Trevor Fry
Kenzie Gannon
Jayden Hillman
Jacob Rook
Nathan Silliman
Noah Smith
Madison Swick
Lane Swihart
Angelo Tino
Gavin Wilson
