Our leadership is the backbone of our organization. Below we have included information about those who lead our organization, what inspires them to lead us, and some information about their qualifications.
If you have questions, need to contact them, or anything else, we have contact information for each of us listed beside our name.
Line Officers
Chief
About Me:
| I am a Mason County native who has spent most of my life in the Apple Grove area. In 2013 I joined Valley Fire & Rescue as a probationary member and immediately began fire training. Over the years I have progressed in the department and continued to gain knowledge and experience. I’ve recently transitioned to training and instruction. I’ve specialized in hazardous materials response for most of my time on the department. I’ve used the skills and traits gained in the fire service to further myself in my career. The knowledge and training have benefited me in my career as a Senior Electro-Mechanical Technician specializing in Ethylene Oxide Sterilization equipment maintenance. |
Skills and Training:
| NFPA 1001 Firefighter 2 NFPA 1002 Driver Operator Pumper NFPA 470 Hazmat Technician – Highway Emergency Response Specialist – Safety Officer – Incident Commander – Officer – Ethylene Oxide Incident Safety Officer NFPA 1041 Fire Instructor 2 NFPA 1021 Fire Officer 3 ICS-400 NFPA 1403 Live Fire Instructor NFA Chemical Hazard Analysis NFPA 1006 Vehicle Extrication Technician – Rope Rescue Operations AHA CPR Instructor Stop the Bleed Instructor ATIRC Instructor ICS Curricula Instructor OSHA 511 – 501 WVPST Supervising Instructor |
Year Joined:
| 2013 |
Special Duties and Responsibilities:
| Chief Training Officer Hazardous Materials Program Coordinator External Affairs Coordinator Auxiliary Program Coordinator |
Most Memorable Experience:
| In my first year, we were at the station and got a call for a structure fire, everyone ran and jumped in a truck. We geared up as fast as possible and were out the door rapidly. In my haste, I forgot my suspenders. When I got out of the truck my pants hit the ground. Luckily it was a shack some kids had built in the woods and not a house fire. We all enjoyed good laughs for years to come about the experience. |
Why I Volunteer:
| Our community is remote, and we have a severe lack of volunteers. If I wasn’t involved and needed help, would there be anyone to help? |
Favorite Part About Being a Volunteer Firefighter:
| Learning new skills and then being provided the opportunity to share them with others. |
Advice for Future Volunteers:
| Never stop learning, the education I’ve gained from the fire service has gotten me so much further in life than if I had never taken this valuable leap. |
Deputy Chief
Nathan McQueen
Email: mqueen@valleyvfd.com
About Me:
| Coming Soon. |
Skills and Training:
| NFPA 1001 Firefighter 2 NFPA 470 Hazmat Operations Incident Safety Officer NFPA 1041 Fire Instructor 1 NFPA 1021 Fire Officer 2 ICS-400 NFPA 1403 Live Fire Instructor NFPA 1006 Vehicle Extrication Operations AHA CPR Instructor Traffic Incident Management NCCCO Crane Operator NCCER Heavy Equipment Operator |
Year Joined:
| 2017 |
Special Duties and Responsibilities:
| Deputy Chief Apparatus & Equipment Maintenance Coordinator Personal Protective Equipment Manager |
Most Memorable Experience:
| Coming Soon. |
Why I Volunteer:
| Coming Soon. |
Favorite Part About Being a Volunteer Firefighter:
| Coming Soon. |
Advice for Future Volunteers:
| Coming Soon. |
Captain
Brandon Armstrong
Email: barmstrong@valleyvfd.com
About Me:
| Coming Soon. |
Skills and Training:
| NFPA 1001 Firefighter 2 NFPA 470 Hazmat Operations NFPA 1021 Fire Officer 2 NFPA 1403 Live Fire Instructor NFPA 1006 Vehicle Extrication Operations AHA CPR Instructor Stop the Bleed Instructor NREMT Paramedic Critical Care Transport NAEMSE Instructor 2 Private Pilot Remote Pilot Tankerman License |
Year Joined:
| 2018 |
Special Duties and Responsibilities:
| Captain NFIRS Program Administrator Emergency Medical Responder Program Coordinator Jr Firefighter Program Coordinator |
Most Memorable Experience:
| Coming Soon. |
Why I Volunteer:
| Coming Soon. |
Favorite Part About Being a Volunteer Firefighter:
| Coming Soon. |
Advice for Future Volunteers:
| Coming Soon. |
First Lieutenant
Tyler Bonecutter
Email: tbonecutter@valleyvfd.com
About Me:
| Coming Soon. |
Skills and Training:
| NFPA 1001 Firefighter 2 NFPA 470 Hazmat Operations Incident Safety Officer NFPA 1021 Fire Officer 2 ICS-400 NFPA 1006 Vehicle Extrication Technician – Rope Rescue Operations AHA CPR Instructor |
Year Joined:
| 2020 |
Special Duties and Responsibilities:
| Lieutenant Team Activities Coordinator Recruitment & Retention Coordinator |
Most Memorable Experience:
| Coming Soon. |
Why I Volunteer:
| Coming Soon. |
Favorite Part About Being a Volunteer Firefighter:
| Coming Soon. |
Advice for Future Volunteers:
| Coming Soon. |
Second Lieutenant
Shane Lang
Email: slang@valleyvfd.com
About Me:
| Coming Soon. |
Skills and Training:
| NFPA 1001 Firefighter 2 NFPA 470 Hazmat Technician NFPA 1021 Fire Officer 2 ICS-400 NFPA 1403 Live Fire Instructor NFPA 1006 Vehicle Extrication Technician – Rope Rescue Operations Fire Investigation 3 |
Year Joined:
| 2020 |
Special Duties and Responsibilities:
| Lieutenant Fundraising Committee Chair Building Maintenance Coordinator Assistant Safety Officer |
Most Memorable Experience:
| Coming Soon. |
Why I Volunteer:
| Coming Soon. |
Favorite Part About Being a Volunteer Firefighter:
| Coming Soon. |
Advice for Future Volunteers:
| Coming Soon. |
Administration
President
John Hesson
Email: jhesson@valleyvfd.com
About Me:
| Coming Soon. |
Skills and Training:
| NFPA 1001 Firefighter 2 NFPA 470 Hazmat Operations NFPA 1021 Fire Officer 1 ICS-400 Pyrotechnician |
Year Joined:
| 1996 |
Special Duties and Responsibilities:
| President Grant Writing Committee Chair Policy and Procedure Coordinator |
Most Memorable Experience:
| Coming Soon. |
Why I Volunteer:
| Coming Soon. |
Favorite Part About Being a Volunteer Firefighter:
| Coming Soon. |
Advice for Future Volunteers:
| Coming Soon. |
Secretary / Public Information Officer
Luke Tilka
Email: ltilka@valleyvfd.com
About Me:
| I currently live in Ashton, WV and am studying Mechanical Engineering at Marshall University. I originally moved to this area in 2015 from Mount Sterling, Kentucky. I joined Valley Fire & Rescue in 2017 as a junior firefighter and learned many skills since. The mentorship and guidance of others here at Valley Fire & Rescue has helped shape me into who i am today! |
Skills and Training:
| NFPA 1001 Firefighter 2 NFPA 470 Hazmat Operations Incident Safety Officer NFPA 1021 Fire Officer 2 ICS-400 NFPA 1403 Live Fire Instructor NFPA 1006 Vehicle Extrication Operations Instrumentation, Measurement & Control Technology, AAS |
Year Joined:
| 2017 |
Special Duties and Responsibilities:
| Digital Systems Manager Public Information Officer Social Media Coordinator Secretary |
Most Memorable Experience:
| One cold and rainy morning we were toned out for a motor vehicle accident. While responding, I hit a patch of ice on the road and ended up in an accident myself. Luckily it was minor and did not tie up our crew that was already responding to the other accident. We still laugh on occasion about me hitting a pole and driving a car around with a different colored passenger door! |
Why I Volunteer:
| I originally joined with the intention of trying something new, and wanting to familiarize myself with the community I had just moved to. Over time, I have seen the time and effort that the members give. If I am able to help, I want to help them where I am able! |
Favorite Part About Being a Volunteer Firefighter:
| It is fulfilling being able to assist others in our community and overcoming challenges of running a volunteer fire department. An added bonus to that is being exposed to a diverse amount of skills and experiences beyond firefighting. |
Advice for Future Volunteers:
| Don’t be afraid to venture out of your comfort zone! Try new things and stretch your mind. Never stop training, firefighting is a dynamic industry, things are always changing! staying relevant to new methods and technologies helps you and your team to succeed! |