Fundamentals of Fire and Emergency Services with MyFireKit

Fundamentals of Fire and Emergency Services offers a range of information to enable the firefighter student to learn and grow in the fire science field. The career development model of the National Fire Academy and the model curriculum of the Fire Emergency Service Higher Education (FESHE) group served as a basis for this important text. With experience in a variety of positions and associations, Jason Loyd, an Instructor for the Private Sector Group of the Emergency Services Training Institute (ESTI) Division of the Texas Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) with experience in the Department of Defense and as Director of the Fire Science Program at Weatherford College, and James Richardson, Assistant Professor of the Protective Service Department at San Antonio College and Interim Program Coordinator for the Emergency Management/Homeland Security Degree Program with over twenty years of service for the Houston Fire Department, provide information on introductory principles including the history of the fire service, career and education opportunities, fire prevention, and fire dynamics, along with planning and strategic skills. With a focus on the history of the fire service and eye on the future of the field, this book serves as an introductory tool for all firefighters who seek both the fundamentals and continued success in the field.

Mr. Jason Loyd is an Instructor for the Private Sector Group of the Emergency Services Training Institute (ESTI) Division of the Texas Engineering Extension Service (TEEX), a part of the Texas A&M University System.  Duties include but not limited to: lecturer, conducting project safety analysis, hands on live fire training with students, and providing a safe environment that is conducive to learning objectives. Mr. Loyd joined TEEX in May 2007 after a successful career at Weatherford College in the Fire Science Technology department and as a DoD contract firefighter overseas for KBR previously known as Brown & Root Services. He has held numerous positions within the Fire & Emergency Services field which include but not limited to:  Fire Fighter/EMT, Crew Chief, Director of Science Technology/Instructor, Training Coordinator, and Reserve Fire Fighter/EMT. Prior to TEEX employment, he also served as a guest instructor for ESTI’s annual municipal school. Furthermore, Mr. Loyd holds certifications as a National Registry Emergency Medical Technician and Texas Department of State Human Services Emergency Medical Technician, and FEMA National Incident Management System Train-the-Trainer.  Additionally, in January 2008 Mr. Loyd was recognized for his contributions to the conversion of the National Fire Academy’s Degrees at a Distance Program curriculum to a web-based format.  He is also a National Fire Academy alumnus. Mr. Loyd previously worked at Weatherford College as the Director/Instructor of Fire Science Technology. Mr. Loyd earned his associate of applied science degree from San Antonio College in Fire Science in 1999 and his baccalaureate degree from Empire State College in Business Management and Economics with a concentration in Fire Service Administration.  Mr. Loyd went through the National Fire Academy Distance Degree Program (DDP) to obtain his baccalaureate degree. After completing his BS degree in 2001, he was offered a full time position at Weatherford College over Fire Science Technology. Mr. Loyd and his wife then relocated back to the United States from Bosnia where he was responsible for two associate of applied science degrees, regional fire academy, and all fire service training courses offered at the college. Mr. Loyd was awarded the Texas Association of Fire Educators George Hughes Instructor of the Year Award for 2003 and was recognized in the Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers. In 2004 he was appointed to the Texas Commission on Fire Protection Curriculum and Testing Committee and in the same year appointed to the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC) Degree Assembly Broad of Governors. Mr. Loyd still serves on the TCFP Testing Committee and still serves as a reserve firefighter with City of Weatherford. He has been married to his wife Melissa since 1993 who also works at Texas A&M University in the Chemistry Department. They have two daughters, Keeley and Arabella.

James D. (J.D.) Richardson

joined the United State Air Force in February of 1968.He was trained as a munitions specialist and served one year in Vietnam. After returning from Vietnam in 1971, he met, and married, his beautiful wife Dianne. In 1972 he was

honorably discharged with the rank of Sergeant. In January of 1973 he joined the Houston Fire Department. In 1974, J.D. enrolled in the Fire Science Program at Houston Community College. Before completing his Associates Degree, he transferred to the

University of Houston and achieved a Bachelor of Science in Technology Degree in December of 1977. J.D. was promoted to the rank of Chauffeur (Engineer/Operator) in 1979 and was assigned to an ambulance as an EMT. In 1980 he was re-assigned to the newly created Hazardous Materials / Heavy Rescue Team.When the team was divided into two separate entities in 1981, J.D. was assigned as the Engineer/Operator for the Heavy Rescue Team. He remained with heavy rescue until 1989. From 1989 until 1991 J.D. served as an Engineer/Operator in the suppression division. In 1991 he was promoted to the rank of Captain. In 1993 J.D. developed a hydraulic rescue tool training program that was used to train over 500 Houston Firefighters in the use of the Hurst rescue tool. He was temporarily assigned to the Houston Fire Department Training Division to work with the rescue teams in developing rescue training programs. He returned to the Suppression Division in 1995 and was chosen to be a member of a Hazardous Materials Training Team with the International Association of Fire Fighters. As a member of this team, J.D. helped initiate the twenty-four hours hazardous materials awareness and operations program now being mandated for the fire service.

Captain J.D. Richardson retired from the Houston Fire Department in January of 1997 and began a new career as an instructor of Fire Science with San Antonio College. During his tenure with the College, J.D. was instrumental in developing the Associate

of Applied Science Degree in Emergency Medical Service in 1998. In 2003 he initiated the first Associates of Applied Science Degree in Emergency Management and Homeland Security Administration in the state of Texas. J.D. served a sdirector of the Fire Science Degree Program from 1999 to 2001, during this time he achieved a Masters of Arts in Education and was Chairperson of the Protective Services Department from 2001 until 2005. He has achieved the rank of Assistant Professor. J.D. and his wonderful wife Dianne have been married for thirty-seven years. They have one son, R.J., a lovely daughter-in-law Kate, and a beautiful granddaughter Cadwyn.