Terry entered the fire service in 1973 as a volunteer while still in high school and subsequently served in numerous roles with volunteer departments in Anderson County and Rowan County, NC. He’s been with Clemson University Fire & EMS for over 40 years as a volunteer and part-time firefighter and Captain. He became a student of hazardous materials in 1978 and helped form the Anderson County Hazardous Materials Team in the late 1980’s and continues to serve as Team Coordinator. He is a member and former Chair of the SC Hazardous Materials Working Group and member of the State Preventive Radiation/Nuclear Detection Committee. In 2022 he received the Excellence in Training award from the Anderson County Fire Chiefs Association.