Forward Janesville - TheReport - Third Quarter 2020

16 • W W W . F O R W A R D J A N E S V I L L E . C O M There is no typical day for me. I may be in the office focused on administrative issues or out in the field dealing with fires and emergencies. I work Monday through Friday, but you are never really off duty. Essentially, you’re on call every day of the week. I love my job. It doesn’t bother me a bit. People might not suspect that I love to garden. I am growing some killer tomatoes right now! HOW DID I GET HERE? s u c c e s s • c h a l l e n g e s • l i f e l e s s o n s • e d u c a t i o n • c a r e e r • f a m i l y • i n s p i r a t i o n s Use your talents to serve in any way you can. My work is my calling, and it has shaped my life. The things I’ve seen have helped me grow and reflect on what’s important. I wouldn’t have it any other way. 1 2 3 As a rescue specialist, I was deployed to NYC on 9-11, the day of the attack. As you can imagine, the impact it had on me was enormous. That was when I knew I was being called to serve, and I knew I wanted to become a Fire Chief after that. My faith is extremely important to me. I lead a bible study. My faith continues to guide me through many challenges. Family cookouts are a weekend must. I’m a huge fan of smoked meats with specialty rubs. My rubs are a secret, though. Can’t share those with you. When I think of Forward Janesville, I think of resilience. It’s like voltage in the system, helping to push us to make the city a better place. We need that now more than ever, with everything going on. I am grateful we have organizations like this here. Not every community can say the same. • I recharge my batteries with my family: my wife, three kids and three dogs. Hanging out with them is my downtime. It’s everything to me. { LIFE LESSONS } I’ve been here about sixteen months now and really like Janesville as a city. I love the downtown, the river. I think we are so close to taking off, and we are becoming a real draw. ERNEST RHODES III FIRE CHIEF CITY OF JANESVILLE Be quick to listen and slow to anger. We’re all human and we all have the same needs— to love and be loved. By listening without making assumptions, we gain wisdom. Try to understand before making any judgements. Most things are so much bigger than you. If you absolutely think you’re right and there is no other answer, you’re probably only looking at it from one side. • • • { EDUCATION } National Lewis University Applied Behavioral Science { WORK EXPERIENCE } MARCH 2019-PRESENT Fire Chief City of Janesville/Milton Janesville, Wisconsin 2000-PRESENT Task Force Leader Missouri Task Force 1 FEMA Urban Search and Rescue Columbia, Missouri 2009-2019 Operations Section Chief FEMA Urban Search and Rescue Blue Incident Support Team Washington, DC 2017-2018 Director State of Missouri Emergency Management Agency 2012-2017 Fire Chief West County EMS and Fire Manchester, Missouri 16 • W W W . F O R W A R D J A N E S V I L L E . C O M