Code Council Board of Directors member Greg Wheeler (right) welcomed Matthew Wander to the ICC Family by presenting him a membership lapel pin during the Alaska State Fire Marshal's 8th Annual Fire & Building Officials Forum in Anchorage. Wander, who has recently battled serious health issues, traveled from his home state of Texas to meet with local code officials and discuss common experiences they share in the fire service. Thanks to generous donations and members of the Alaska State Troopers, including Sgt. Luis Nieves who assisted in travel arrangements and logistics, Wander was able to realize his dream of visiting America's 49th state.
Wander began his firefighter/EMT career at the Silver Creek Fire Station of the Parker County, Texas, ESD 1 in January 2012. Two months later, he began working as an EMT-B for the Eastland, Texas, EMS division, and the following October was promoted to lieutenant at the Silver Creek station.
In December 2012, Wander left Eastland to devote more time at Silver Creek and to enroll in paramedic school. His station was declining in volunteer support, thus he refined some of the policies and began actively recruiting new volunteers. He also made building improvements to the station itself by providing some of his own pay to repaint the facility, improve the living quarters and making it a more livable station.
In November 2012 Wander also began working for Parker County Fire Alarm as a dispatcher. He remained on staff with them until this month. He is still employed with Parker County ESD 1, although with his illness he has been unable to work in his full capacity since being released from the hospital, until more recently as his health started to improve. |
