Nathan Anderson

I have dedicated my years of service with the City Of Florence to achieving the singular goal of learning from the model of service that Florence Fire/EMS provides. Florence Fire/EMS has set an industry standard that is recognized throughout the region. I have consistently applied my efforts in every way to overcome the challenges presented to me coming from a small rural Fire Department and uphold the tradition of Florence Fire/EMS.

Since my hire date with Florence Fire /EMS, I have obtained a wealth of experience and knowledge. I have utilized this experience and knowledge against prior training certifications and training certifications recently obtained.

I have successfully secured specialized training in Fire Investigation. Narrow focusing a segment of my training on Fire Investigation has led toward opportunities and responsibilities that I have embraced. I have worked diligently to be competent in these skills to provide the department with accurate and consistent investigations.

In my daily duties, I work hard and do my best to lead my example. I believe direction is best given through example. It has my intent to establish a template of work ethic for others to follow. When the opportunities present themselves to offer direct instruction I have not hesitated to explain and instruct other members through the problem. Almost always, I learn from them through the process of instructing.

Physical and Mental Health are imperative in our line of service. Utilizing years of coaching experience in martial arts and strength/conditioning, I have had the privilege of coaching many firefighter through strength and conditioning programs, injury rehabilitation, diet, and medicinal recovery. As a certified Mental Health Advisor, and a father, I have assisted firefighters through the processes necessary to endure the challenges presented by the fire service and life.

SCFD was my introduction to the Fire Service. Prior to my employment I had obtained my NR-EMT, but I had no experience in the EMS field. Through the SCFD recruit program I obtained the fundamental 150hr, 400hr, and a HAMAT Technician certification.

Having no experience in the Fire Service, I quickly recognized that there was a need for more training. I began taking as many outside training opportunities as I could find. The intent was to improve myself and to apply the knowledge to SCFD. I secured certifications that established a foundation to the principle and practices of the Fire Service- IFSAC Firefighter I+II, IFSAC Fire Instructor I+II, Fire Officer I+II, etc.

Though SCFD was a Fire/Rescue (non-EMS) organization, I found a degree of separation between the basic skills of the EMT and Fire/Rescue on scene. Being a rural department, often SCFD would be on scene prior to EMS for 5-20min. I initiated a relationship with GSCEMS and began taking as training courses that applied to EMTs. I was able to establish interagency training between our departments. This relationship has sustained and continues to grow to this day.

I had reached a point in my career with SCFD where my options were to promote and continue to bring standards from other organizations and incorporate them into the SOGs of SCFD, continue to work toward changing the culture, or leaving the organization that welcomed me into the Fire Service. I believe the only way for me to truly mature as a Firefighter was to move on to more established organization with a reputation for high standards and high run volume.

I am proud to say that every Firefighter in my recruit class, and/or on my crew, who followed me through my navigation of training opportunities, have all become officers or pursued careers in larger organizations. They have carried on the vision that I shared with them through their leadership. I am forever in debt to SCFD and those who had the privilege of serving beside.

I began working on job-sites as a laborer at the age of 14. I immediately felt a connection to the manual labor and finished product of those efforts. I was fortunate to be surrounded by tradesmen who were well established and recognized for their skills as applied in the many trades that are involved in the construction of a structure.

I was able to learn through them during my years as an assistant, and continued to learn from them as I established myself as an independent contractor.

I spent most of my carre remodeling homes. This is the most technical and comprehensive of construction due to the fact that there must be a interpretation of what exists and how to translate it to proper code compliance. I have remodeled many historical homes in the downtown Lexington area, Frankfort, and Versailles.

I have also spent many years in the new construction field stick framing custom homes, and as a builder for the construction of homes from the ground up.

I finished my +20yr career working contracts with Lowe's. I held contracts with five regional stores. These contracts were for the professional installation of doors, windows, fences, and decks. In was approached by the tri-state regional manager about Lowe's interest in taking on larger projects, such as room additions, and I worked with them briefly through the concept and challenges between their corporate identity and the General Contractor. Lowe's has since recognized the liability and chose not to further pursue those contracts.

I still take on small projects from time to time. In 2022, I had the fortune to build my own home from the ground.