GOAL & MISSION
Here at 3rd Alarm we understand that rural communities do not always have the financial ability to send personnel to trainings that take units out of service, reduce response to emergencies or are not effective to implement in rural departments. It is the goal of 3rd Alarm to provide the highest quality of training to public safety personnel in a manner that is effective and affordable for rural area fire departments and their budgets.
The needs and response mechanisms of rural departments are unique and 3* is determined to create and bring training that fits rural areas from full-time firefighters to volunteers.
BILLY BRIDESON, OWNER/INSTRUCTOR
I started my career in the fire service at 16 years old, living in rural Gilchrist County and attending the local high school. I was a volunteer at the Trenton Fire Department, where I could carry my pager to class and when needed during school hours, I would run from the high school to the department and be waiting in the passenger side of the fire truck on someone old enough to drive. I was 17 when I completed the equivalent to FFI at the Florida State Fire College as one of the youngest students.
After serving my country in the United States Marine Corps, I returned home to once again volunteer in my community. It was during this time that I realized the fire service was my true calling. I again attended Fire Fighter I and then EMT and started working for Gilchrist County Fire Rescue. I worked my way through Fire Fighter II and was promoted to shift Captain. During my time at Gilchrist County I completed my instructor certification and began assisting with teaching our in house Fire Fighter I program and Florida Gateway College's Fire Fighter I program. During this time I completed any furthering education class I could find time for.
In 2012, I started my career with Gainesville Fire Rescue. And I am currently the lead instructor for the Fire Fighter Standards Program at Florida Gateway College. Firefighting and training firefighters is my passion! I came from a rural fire department and I still live in rural Gilchrist County. I believe that without training we can't be successful, and an unsuccessful day at our job is a tragedy!
3* INSTRUCTORS
Nearly all 3* instructors got their start in the fire service working and living in rural North Florida. We all understand the challenges rural communities face when it comes to how Fire Departments both full-time and Volunteer are operated day-to-day, the financial constraints placed on rural communities due to lack of funding and the reduced amount of personnel during response. We still reside in small counties. Volunteer firefighters respond to our families and our homes in the event of a fire, vehicle accident or medical emergency. We believe in making sure rural departments have the same training bigger departments have available.
Together we have a master's degree, bachelor's degrees and associate's degrees. We all have a love for the fire service and a desire to pay forward the knowledge and training we have received.
