On The Job

Spotlighting career and volunteer responders from Spotsylvania
Fire and Emergency Medical Services

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Spotsylvania FREM Deputy Chief Nick Caputo began his career as a volunteer firefighter in 1978 in Farrell, PA, the town where he was born. In 1981, he became a paid firefighter and in 1986 appointed as an Acting Captain in Farrell’s Fire Department. After relocating to Virginia, Nick spent nearly two years as a firefighter in the Richmond Bureau of Fire. In 1988, Nick moved to the Henrico County Division of Fire where he progressed through the ranks to become the Assistant Fire Chief in 2000. Henrico County grew rapidly during Nick’s tenure, so he is familiar with the growing pains and challenges related to this phenomenon. As Henrico County’s population grew from 50,000 residential units to 100,000, the number of stations in their system rose from 12 to 20. Personnel increased from 250 to 525 while the budget went from $15M to $45M. Standard zoning areas became very dense Urban Mixed Use areas as Henrico went from minimal to heavy commercial units as well.

Nick identified two important goals during a period of growth such as Henrico County experienced, and which Spotsylvania County is now going through. The first is to provide reliable, timely, competent and consistent service with the closest and most appropriate unit and personnel. The second goal is to always strive to exceed the customer’s expectations in all facets of service delivery. Challenges that need to be met are in developing services to meet and exceed the County’s commercial, residential and population growth while living within the County’s fiscal means. Paid and Volunteer personnel should all receive the highest level of training and the best equipment possible. Another challenge is to ensure that countywide deployment and staffing patterns are always the most effective and efficient for the citizens. Finally, it’s important to plan for and develop the administrative and operational infra-structure to meet current and future service needs. Deputy Chief Caputo is looking forward to meeting these challenges, “as we all strive to provide the highest level of service to the citizens of Spotsylvania County.”

Nick has been married to his wife Amy for 19 years. When he’s not working you might find him hunting, fishing, traveling or enjoying river activities. His educational background includes the study of Industrial Psychology at Penn State, a BS in Safety and Risk Administration from VCU, and a Master’s in Public Administration also from VCU. He is a graduate of the U.S. Fire Administration’s Executive Fire Officer Program. He has been designated by the Center for Public Safety Excellence as a Designated Chief Fire Officer. Nick has been active in many areas of the Fire Service at the state and national level. He serves on the Executive Board of the Virginia Fire Chiefs Association, Vice Chairperson of the Governor’s Medal of Valor Review Board, and as the Planning Chief for the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation’s yearly Memorial Service.

His resume lists experience in project management, planning and development, budgeting, human resources, technology and support, operations, resources, community affairs and emergency management, and fire prevention and investigation.

As a community, we are fortunate indeed that Deputy Chief Caputo is working for us. The Coalition for 24/7 welcomes him.

EMS Captain Eric Lasky is a volunteer at Stations 5 and 7. As of October 2005, he was averaging 24 hours per week and had been serving the community for 12 years. Although his day job with the US Postal Service keeps him busy, Eric has found time to take advantage of many educational and professional training opportunities. He’s pursued a BSHS in Emergency/Disaster Management, is professionally accredited as a Certified Homeland Security Volunteer (CHS-V) by the American College of Forensic Examiners and a Certified Infrastructure Protection Specialist (CIPS) by the Office of Infrastructure Protection. He has completed certification and instruction with FEMA, Commonwealth of Virginia EMS Leadership Program, NREMT – Paramedic and dozens of advanced life support classes. He is a Recovery Specialist for the Office of Emergency Management. Eric was born in Ohio, but has worked as a medic in the Navy, on the beaches of North Carolina and in Northern Virginia. He pursues his interest in skiing when he has time off. He volunteers because he wants “To help someone, for just a few minutes, during traumatic events in their life.” When asked what advice he would offer to anyone interested in serving Eric replied “Contact your local volunteer station and do a ride-along!”

BSHS – BS Health Sciences

FEMA – Federal Emergency Management Agency

AAS – Para medicine

NREMT – Nationally Registered Emergency Medical Technician

Fire and Rescue volunteer, Ken Duggan, finds rescue work rewarding and fire service exciting. He enjoys a real sense of pride in serving his community. A highlight of his career has been joining Chancellor Volunteer Fire Department (CFVD) where he rotates shifts between Stations 5, 6 and 7. At the time of this interview, October 2005, Ken had been on the job for 2 years. He’s earned his Firefighters II. EMT and Emergency Vehicle Operators Class III. Daytime hours find Ken working as a technical (field) trainer for Comcast Communications in Alexandria/Arlington, Virginia.

YOU can make a difference.  Visit your local Fire/EMS Station.  Give  a sincere "thank you" to the volunteer and paid staff who are so diligently and competently watching out for our safety.  Ask them if they've got the staff , equipment and facilities that they need.  Learn more about how that Station and others around the county are staffed.