Mentoring Program

The in-person portion of the Fire Officer Academy: The Company Officer is just one piece of the program puzzle. Everything about FOA is intentional, and that starts with the application and selection process. This is a highly competitive program and the Selection Committee selects the top 30 candidates to move forward to the online assessment portion. Because of the extremely competitive nature of initial application pool, the small details are often the difference between rejection from the program or an invitation to continue the process.

Whether you need help applying for the Fire Officer Academy or want encouragement during the online assessments, FOA alumni are here for you.

Meet the mentors

Michael Duffy: Colleton County Fire-Rescue
FOA 23-02
[email protected]

I have 18 years of experience in the fire service and I’m currently a Captain with Colleton County Fire-Rescue, where I have worked for the last 12 years. I have been a company officer for the last five years, serving as a Lieutenant for two years and as a Captain for the last three years. My path to my current role has not been easy. This is my second time serving as a Captain after being promoted previously in October 2014 and then demoted in July 2015 for unsatisfactory performance as a company officer. That experience was a reality check and forced me to take a step back and look at the bigger picture. I promoted the first time for the wrong reasons – I was in it for myself and not in it for my people or for my department. That experience nearly made me leave the fire service altogether, but I ultimately decided to stick with it – and I’m glad I did. After failing at my first attempt at being a company officer, I decided to not let that define me. I started working toward being a better firefighter and a better leader within the department. It took a lot of hard work to repair my reputation within the department, but I kept at it. In 2017, Colleton County partnered with Med-Trans to put Fire-Rescue paramedics on a new air medical helicopter based in Colleton County. CARE Flight began operations in June 2017, and I was fortunate enough to be selected as one of the initial group of six paramedics for that program. I got to be a part of something bigger than myself and helped build a new air medical program from the ground up. That experience was a challenge and a time of tremendous personal growth for me. That experience put me into an informal leadership position within the department, and I became more involved with both fire and medical training within the department. It also made me a representative of my department throughout the Lowcountry. That experience made me realize that being a leader isn’t about me at all, but it’s about investing in the people around me to make us all better at what we do. That time in my career resulted in regaining the trust of department leadership, and I promoted to Engineer in 2018 and then to Lieutenant in 2020, while also continuing to pull double duty as a flight paramedic. I left that position in May 2022 after five years because I felt like I was ready to take the next step in my career and felt like I had something to prove to myself. I was fortunate enough to be promoted back to the rank of Captain in July of that year, and I made a promise to myself to make it my mission to put my people, the department, and the citizens that we serve first. The experience of failure and working toward redemption provided many lessons and gave me a unique perspective that not many people have. I have embraced the opportunity to mentor new and existing firefighters in their careers, and I take pride in being able to use my experience to help guide others to grow as firefighters and informal leaders while avoiding some of the same mistakes that I have made along my journey.

Chris Tennyson: Summerville Fire-Rescue
FOA 23-02
[email protected]

25 years into the job. Formal education in the form of degrees. Sought out and continues to seek the hardest training. I have failed far more often than I have succeeded. Recovering alcoholic. Faced the worst tragedies imaginable, losing your own brothers in fires and due to suicides. I believe to serve others into greatness is the highest of all accomplishments. I can empathize more due to my life and professional experiences. I am living the benefits in life from finding light when there appeared to be none. I don’t know how good I am at this other than I listen with my heart and communicate with the same.

Blake Schultz: North Charleston Fire Department
FOA 22-01
schultz[email protected]

My name is Blake Schultz, I have been in the fire service since 2010. I began volunteering when I was in high school and became a career firefighter upon graduation! I continue to volunteer with Long Cane Fire Department in Abbeville County, SC where I currently hold the rank of Assistant Chief. I am also a Engineer for the City of North Charleston Fire Department. I am very blessed to get to serve along side many wonderful firefighters both career and volunteer. I was given the amazing opportunity to attend the Officers Academy class 21-01. This was a great opportunity and experience. Not only did the program push me professionally it also helped me grow on a personal level. When I am not at the fire department I run a business with one of my life long best friends who also is a graduate of the FOA. When I’m able to find free time I enjoy spending time with my wife and son, as well as hunting.

As far as the fire service is concerned, I am all about “Them first”. I firmly believe that we should be placing hose lines interior, searching survivable space, and allowing our firefighters to do their jobs. This is a passion of mine that I am not afraid to share publicly. I believe deep down that we are here to serve the communities that we are within, and if that means taking a risk, then so be it. I also like other aspects of the fire service such as technical rescue, water rescue, and vehicle extrication just to name a few. I’ve been blessed to have spent most of my career on an aggressive and progressive ladder company with great leadership, and I hope that I’m able to carry on the traditions that we have established within the company.

Jeremy King: South Greenville Fire Rescue
FOA 24-01
[email protected]

Jeremy King is a Battalion Chief for South Greenville Fire District in upstate SC. He has been employed with SGFD since 2003 and has been involved in the fire service for over 25 years. He has experience in both career and volunteer service. Starting his fire service journey while still in high school, he joined the Whitefield Fire Department, Anderson County Station 22, in his junior year and is still a member. After joining the volunteer service, he began taking classes through the South Carolina Fire Academy. He continues to seek ways to personally and professionally push himself. He values education and training. Since joining the fire service, he obtained his NREMT Paramedic and bachelor’s in emergency services management from Anderson University.

He is currently a member of SC Task Force 6 and enjoys anything rescue-related. In addition to the fire department, he is a part-time paramedic for Anderson and Greenville County. Outside of his duties as a responder, he seeks to improve himself professionally and currently serves as treasurer of the Officer Section of the South Carolina Firefighters Association. He credits the Company Officer Academy with reigniting his passion for helping others. His favorite advice to new members is to “remember, always treat people like people.”

Matt Domanowski: City of Beaufort/ Town of Port Royal
FOA 23-02
[email protected]

Mateusz Domanowski, or as everyone likes to call him, “Matt” is a three-and-a-half-year veteran of the City of Beaufort/Town of Port Royal Fire Department where he currently holds the rank of Lieutenant. Prior to his service with the City of Beaufort/Town of Port Royal, he was a member of the Bethlehem Township Volunteer Fire Department in Pennsylvania, for about 10 years where he ultimately reached the rank of Captain. Matt is also a Nationally Registered Paramedic since 2016 and worked on an ALS Ambulance for several years. Matt was instrumental in assisting with establishing an Advanced Life Support program for the City of Beaufort/Town of Port Royal Fire Department. Matt’s passion is hose and nozzles. While at Bethlehem Township, he was able to establish and prove that the attack package was insufficient for modern day firefighting. This led him to do extensive research on the subject and finally create a nozzle package fit for modern day firefighting. He continues this passion to this day, being placed in charge of hoses and nozzles at the City of Beaufort/Town of Port Royal Fire Department. Moving water is something he holds near and dear.  He is a graduate of the South Carolina Fire Officer Academy and holds multiple certifications in many disciplines across the Fire Service.

James Rourk: St. John’s Fire District
FOA 24-01
[email protected]

Born and raised in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina just outside of Charleston and still reside in the Charleston area. I joined the fire service in September of 2016 as a volunteer for Awendaw McClennville Fire Department. I quickly caught the bug and knew that this was my passion and wanted to become a firefighter as a career. From there I got hired at Sheldon Township Fire District where I attended recruit school with Bluffton Township Fire to gain the rest of the certifications, I needed to be a firefighter. Upon graduating from recruit school, I got my first assignment on Engine 41 as a firefighter working on a one-man engine. This furthered my love for the job. Being the only person on an engine and having to do multiple jobs at one time I quickly learned not just my job, but that of an engineer and a captain all at once. After about a year with Sheldon I decided to get my EMT certification to help further my career along and get ready to transfer to a department closer to home. After 2 years at Sheldon Township fire, I decided to make the move to St. Johns Fire District. I am currently still with St. Johns Fire as the newly promoted Captain on Engine 707 A Shift. I was a member of Officer Academy Class 24-01 and would not trade the experience or lesson learned in the Academy for anything. This weeklong program prepared me to continue my career and helped set me up to take on the role of company officer. Now as a company officer my goal is to be aggressive in my tactics and training, but also caring, compassionate, understanding, and whatever else my crew needs of me. The goal behind doing this is to create a culture that not only serves as an example to other crews but sets up my crew to continue in their careers and one day replace me and be an even better Officer than I was.  This is the best job in the world and I want to share that passion to anyone who wants listen or join a department. Current Instructor in Fire I and Fire II with a passion for teaching the next generation of firefighters. Newly Promoted Captain with a passion for Engine work and aggressive firefighting.

Micah Taylor: Clear Springs Fire Rescue
FOA 24-01
[email protected]

I would like to first start by introducing myself, my name is Micah Taylor. I currently serve as a Lieutenant on B Shift at Clear Spring Fire Rescue in the Upstate. I have been a part of the fire service for right at eighteen years, started by volunteering at Powdersville Fire Department in 2008, transitioning to the career side with a start at Boiling Springs Fire District in Greenville in the year 2013. In the year of 2022, I was given an opportunity to join the team at Clear Spring Fire Rescue and have since grown into the leadership position as a Lieutenant in 2023. I earned the opportunity to attend the Fire Officer Academy as part of Class 24-01! Being a part of something bigger than myself, as well as being a better person for the community in which I service. As the Fire Officer Academy became a humbling experience it really helped me to become more compassionate about teaching others the craft as well as being able to hone the craft! Since the Fire Officer Academy, I have found that my desires have become mental health awareness, leadership development in learning the most about the leadership, and tactical driven fire-ground training towards being best for the community we serve. I feel that the attitude of we are here for “THEM” is very important. As “THEY COME FIRST.” I feel that we should always be at our best no matter what in our lives happens inside and outside of the fire service. I love to hunt, fish, attend church, as well as spending time outdoors in nature every chance I get. I would love to be able to connect and help those in which are in need as well. Life isn’t about me but the network of others which make it successful. Thank you for taking the time to read my bio.

Zachary Crutchfield: Parker Fire District
FOA 23-02
[email protected]

Zachary “Zac” Crutchfield is a Lieutenant with the Parker Fire District and is from the Travelers Rest/Marietta area in Greenville, South Carolina. His journey into firefighting began at age 14 as an explorer with the Slater-Marietta department, where he remained until he was old enough to officially join the ranks. Zac has been with the department since 2006, serving in various roles throughout his career.

In 2007, Zac received a full-time position with the Parker District Fire Department, where he rose to the rank of firefighter/relief driver before joining the United States Air Force (USAF) in 2013. During his 7.5 years of military service, Zac worked as a Security Forces member for 4.5 years and later as a Remotely Piloted Aircraft sensor operator. He left the military in 2020 to return to his passion for firefighting, rejoining Parker District full-time.

While completing his undergraduate degree in Fire Science Management and a master’s in Business Administration, Zac advanced to the rank of Lieutenant at Parker District. At the same time, he served as part-time Deputy Fire Chief with Slater-Marietta. His leadership and dedication led to his selection for the South Carolina Firefighters’ Association Leadership Institute (Class of 2022), while in the same year earned the nationally accredited Fire Officer IV designation from Alabama Fire College.

In 2023, Zac attended the Fire Officer Academy (Class 23-02), where he gained valuable insights into leadership, relationship-building, and creating dynamic, supportive environments for firefighters, their families, and the community. In early 2024, he took the next step in his career, becoming Fire Chief of Slater-Marietta.

Zac is actively involved with the state’s Urban Search and Rescue team, Task Force 6 (SC-TF6), and is trained in multiple rescue disciplines. He credits much of his inspiration to his wife, who skillfully manages their two daughters and allows him to pursue his dream. In his free time, Zac enjoys golf, hiking, and camping.

Throughout his career, Zac has received several notable awards, including Firefighter of the Year (2007) and Officer of the Year (2022) with Slater-Marietta Fire Department, as well as the Lamar Headrick Award from Parker District (2021).

Zac encourages those entering the firefighting profession who are wanting more out of the career to fully commit to the field, emphasizing that the more effort and dedication you invest, the more it will shape you into a better person, leader, and family member. The firefighting profession offers the tools and opportunities to achieve greatness—it’s up to you to seize them. Jako Willink ~ “Motivation will only get you so far, discipline is what you have to have”.

FOA Alumni – If you would like to be added to this list, please complete the SUBMISSION FORM. For more information, contact Zac Crutchfield at [email protected]

“They Come First”