Christopher Spafford

In 2020 I put a memo in to return down to the Master Fire Station as a Lieutenant.

• Directed work of 15-18 firefighters around the station, as well as on various types of incidents.
• I have had the additional responsibility of being a Hazmat Lieutenant.

As a member of this committee, I have taken an active role in the specification process for several of the current units in our department, as well as the numerous units currently on order. Duties have included

• Reviewing Specifications sheets from different vendors and comparing to St. Petersburg's Specifications.
• Assisting the committee in making an informed decision based on these specifications
• Performing final inspections on the units.

Units that I have been involved with have been

• Current E2, E3, E10
• Current E4, E8, E12
• New E7 and E11
• New E5 and T13
• New E1
• Assisting with the design of the New Hazmat 5.
• Assisting Lt. Gordon with the design of the Tiller for new T1.

In 2007 I completed the Hazmat 160 class and became a certified Hazardous Materials Technician. In 2021 I became a certified Drone Pilot for the team. I have remained on the Hazmat team for my entire career, and currently serve as the team lead for the St. Petersburg portion of the team. Responsibilities include:

• Overseeing and tracking equipment
• Communicating team needs to the command staff
• Assisting the command staff with needs of the Hazmat team as a whole.

During my time here as Lieutenant I had the opportunity to build a new crew from scratch, due the previous firefighters transferring to the newly opened Fire Station 2, as well as leaving for other reasons.

• Recruited a crew that was comprised of senior firefighters as well as firefighter straight off of probation.
• Oversaw a crew that went from casual work acquaintance's to having a crew who interacted as a family both inside an outside of the station.

I was assigned to Station 13 as my first station as a lieutenant. During my time here I worked under Captain Rick Chipelo, and gained experience to flourish as an officer within the Department.

I was assigned to the Master Station off of probation and spent almost 11 years there as a firefighter until my promotion to Lieutenant in 2016. During my time here I was involved in many things and assisted with many responsibilities.

• 2007 I became a Hazmat Technician
• 2011 I became an Engine Driver
• 2013 I became a Truck Driver
• Assisted as an advisor for the explorer program from 2008-2016.
• 2012 I was presented an award from Pinellas County Commissioner John Moroney for the rescue of a citizen from a fire in November 2011