with dreams of fighting fires
Brentwood Fire Department’s getting more interesting every day.
Former Tennessee Titan Erron Kinney joined the force last year as a full-time firefighter. Recently the city commissioned three new firefighters with resumes that list among other honors and experience Hollywood connections, beekeeping, serving with the U.S. Navy as a deep sea diver and bomb disposal officer, and Employee of the Year for a company that worked hand-in-hand with Seattle, Wash.'s fire department -- though the honoree at the time had no hands-on firefighting experience.
That’s not all. Two of them were recently named Valedictorian and Most Improved members of their Tennessee Fire and Codes Academy class. Brentwood's Assistant Fire Chief Brian Goss says the only reason the third wasn’t honored was because the department didn’t send him to the training.
Here are fun facts to know and tell about our newest firefighting professionals (with a shout out to Asst. Chief Goss who helped compile the info):
Former Tennessee Titan Erron Kinney joined the force last year as a full-time firefighter. Recently the city commissioned three new firefighters with resumes that list among other honors and experience Hollywood connections, beekeeping, serving with the U.S. Navy as a deep sea diver and bomb disposal officer, and Employee of the Year for a company that worked hand-in-hand with Seattle, Wash.'s fire department -- though the honoree at the time had no hands-on firefighting experience.
That’s not all. Two of them were recently named Valedictorian and Most Improved members of their Tennessee Fire and Codes Academy class. Brentwood's Assistant Fire Chief Brian Goss says the only reason the third wasn’t honored was because the department didn’t send him to the training.
Here are fun facts to know and tell about our newest firefighting professionals (with a shout out to Asst. Chief Goss who helped compile the info):
Jay Williams
This New York native and former child actor graduated from Northwestern University with a bachelors degree in radio/TV/film. As a union camera assistant he worked on shows including J.A.G., V.I.P, Seinfeld and Entertainment Tonight. He's also worked on feature films, including Albino Alligator with Kevin Spacey and Crossroads with Britney Spears (we won't hold that against him).
He became a firefighter six years ago in Torrance, Calif. before relocating to Tennessee last year.
This New York native and former child actor graduated from Northwestern University with a bachelors degree in radio/TV/film. As a union camera assistant he worked on shows including J.A.G., V.I.P, Seinfeld and Entertainment Tonight. He's also worked on feature films, including Albino Alligator with Kevin Spacey and Crossroads with Britney Spears (we won't hold that against him).
He became a firefighter six years ago in Torrance, Calif. before relocating to Tennessee last year.
Why the change?
“I got into firefighting because I wanted to make a difference and at the same time be proud of my work. Every day is different on the job and has its own set of challenges. I have never been cut out for a desk job,” he shared.
That may explain another activity he enjoys.
“In my spare time I am a beekeeper with hives around Williamson County.”
“I got into firefighting because I wanted to make a difference and at the same time be proud of my work. Every day is different on the job and has its own set of challenges. I have never been cut out for a desk job,” he shared.
That may explain another activity he enjoys.
“In my spare time I am a beekeeper with hives around Williamson County.”
Toben Nelson
Another Southern California transplant, Toben graduated from the University of Southern California’s prestigious School of Cinematic Arts in 1994 with a bachelor of arts degree in cinema-television critical studies. Following seven years in the U.S. Navy as a deep
-sea diver and bomb disposal officer, Toben returned to USC in 2001 to continue his filmmaking education.
In May 2004, he received a MFA degree in film production. As a graduate student, he wrote, directed, edited and sound designed over a dozen short films, in addition to serving as the lead sound designer on two independent, feature-length films. Toben also wrote a feature-length version of the film Infamy, in addition to a number of other dramatic, military-themed screenplays.
So how did he make his way to Brentwood’s fire department?
After moving here 2007, Toben worked as a freelance creative consultant to Film House, Inc., a large Nashville-based film and video production company. But his military service and his participation in Brentwood’s Citizens Fire Academy (more on this to come!) that sparked his interest in public safety.
In June he acquired his Tennessee State Firefighter I certification through the Tennessee Fire and Codes Academy where he graduated as class valedictorian with an overall performance score of 99.5%.
Another Southern California transplant, Toben graduated from the University of Southern California’s prestigious School of Cinematic Arts in 1994 with a bachelor of arts degree in cinema-television critical studies. Following seven years in the U.S. Navy as a deep
-sea diver and bomb disposal officer, Toben returned to USC in 2001 to continue his filmmaking education.In May 2004, he received a MFA degree in film production. As a graduate student, he wrote, directed, edited and sound designed over a dozen short films, in addition to serving as the lead sound designer on two independent, feature-length films. Toben also wrote a feature-length version of the film Infamy, in addition to a number of other dramatic, military-themed screenplays.
So how did he make his way to Brentwood’s fire department?
After moving here 2007, Toben worked as a freelance creative consultant to Film House, Inc., a large Nashville-based film and video production company. But his military service and his participation in Brentwood’s Citizens Fire Academy (more on this to come!) that sparked his interest in public safety.
In June he acquired his Tennessee State Firefighter I certification through the Tennessee Fire and Codes Academy where he graduated as class valedictorian with an overall performance score of 99.5%.
Jason “Scott” Barnes
Scott doesn’t have a Hollywood connection but he is connected to the West Coast and his resume’s just as interesting. Like Jay and Toben, his background didn’t include firefighting per se, though several years ago he was named Seattle’s Firefighter of the Year.
Scott earned his bachelor’s degree in paramedic studies from Central Washington University. He worked as a field training officer with American Medical Response, a private ambulance service operating in conjunction with the Seattle Fire Department, where he was named Employee of the Year in 2001.
Before joining Brentwood’s fire department as a paramedic, he spent five years with Williamson County Emergency Medical Service and served much of that time at Station 4, a facility shared between Brentwood fire and police departments and the county’s EMS.
Despite his close affiliations with fire departments over the course of his EMS career, Scott had no hands-on experience in firefighting until he attended the Tennessee Fire and Codes Academy this spring where he was named Most Improved Recruit by his classmates.
You too can be a Brentwood Firefighter
Tuesday was the official deadline to apply for the next Citizens Fire Academy class, but if the past is any indication, late applications may be accepted.
Tuesday was the official deadline to apply for the next Citizens Fire Academy class, but if the past is any indication, late applications may be accepted.
Like Toben Nelson -- and hundreds of other Brentwood residents just like him -- have done, you can find out what its like to be a Brentwood firefighter by participating in the city's Citizens Fire Academy. The three-month program starts on July 30th and meets every other Thursday evening.
Participants can even ride along with firefighters as they respond to actual emergency calls. The city is closed today for the holiday, but check back on Monday to find out if you can still apply. Applications are available on-line at www.brentwood-tn.org/fire/cfa. The number to call for more information is 371-0170.
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