A.J. joined his hometown fire department, Wallace Fire Department, in 2010 at the age of fifteen. He was introduced to the department by a volunteer who was conducting a controlled burn on family property. A.J. couldn’t wait to apply, so he submitted his request the very next morning. As soon as he was eligible, A.J. started taking fire classes, and upon graduating high school, he was a certified firefighter. A.J. landed a job at a manufacturing plant handling logistics and inventory management. Although it was a great job, he was not satisfied. He kept thinking about the red trucks, the lights, sirens, and excitement at the fire station. In 2015, the Wallace Fire Chief, Bryan Sweatt, offered to send A.J. to EMT school, but there was a catch. Looking to better serve the community, Chief Sweatt wanted to combine the rescue department and the fire department. This merger created Wallace Fire Rescue as one, if not the only, all volunteer department in South Carolina to operate three advanced life support ambulances. A.J. was promoted to Lieutenant and was heavily involved with medical operations. He wanted to learn more and found a Paramedic program that he could attend at night, so as not to interfere with his day job. He successfully obtained his Paramedic Certification and then an EMS job in North Carolina. Again, he found himself missing the fire house. One of his best friends was working for Colleton County Fire-Rescue, and knowing A.J. was missing the fire service, he said, “Come check out Colleton.” A.J. heeded his advice; after a few conversations and a department visit, he knew he had to work for CCFR. “Joining Colleton was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Being a Firefighter-Paramedic is the greatest job in the world, and I can’t see myself doing anything else. The adrenaline rush I get when those tones go off get me going just as it did when I first joined the fire service. Responding to the unknown, helping people in their most vulnerable moment, getting to see the positive of what my hands, mind, and heart accomplish, will never get old. I love it,” says A.J.
He enjoys the time he has with his wife, Kayla, and their son, Sawyer, on his days off. The trio likes to get together with friends and family. A.J. also likes taking his son to Wallace Fire-Rescue to share his love for the job, the trucks, and the environment.
