Veteran's Affairs Plus W/ David L. Washington

Wesley Knight 0:00
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Music 0:42
what's going on good day

Dave Washington 0:48
Las Vegas. This is fetches affairs, plus on 91.5 jazz and more. I'm Dave Washington, your host. I got a few announcements to make, and then we'll have Mr. Derek, who was referred to us by Jason, the operations manager here, so I trust we will have some kind words and interchange with him shortly. This is Women's History Month, for those who aren't aware, and certainly there's a couple women that I like to acknowledge, and one is Deborah meskwa. She attended the Carl Holmes executive development institute, and first, in fact, was one of the first students of that program. I think they have 43 students, but she went on to become fire chief in Madison, Wisconsin. I believe it is, but certainly want to salute her. And also, Rosemary cloud became the first black woman to become a fire chief in the United States of America. So we're very pleased to acknowledge these two particular colleagues, as they did trailblazing work in the world, in the industry of fire service on Saturday, my birthday, believe it or not, I had a prayer session done on my behalf, hosted by the Carl Holmes executive development institute board of directors, and it was really ran by Chief Cassie peters out of Phoenix, Arizona area, and our photo guy, Mr. Adrian Rutledge, Dave. And it was, it was something. It was a tear jerker for me, for them, just to put this on for me as I continue through my recovery with cancer, and I've let everyone know that. So it's not like it's a big deal that I'm telling you that I'm a very open person with regards to my health. So with that, and also, on Monday nights, my my family, through my son in law, Nathan armagon, they do a prayer session for me as well. So on Monday, every Monday, around eight o'clock, we get together as a family, and they pray for me. Additional announcements I want to say sad news. In fact, our president of UNLV Heath Whitfield resigned as of today. I saw a news clipping of him yesterday, and I will try. When I try out, I'll get it for you for the next show. And I know Wes can look this up for me, but he was on one of our shows. We interviewed him, and I like to refer people to that. But outstanding individual had a lot of good plans for the university. Many have been implemented, and I trust that they had, there would have been more things done, because he was actually his contract was renewed for another four years, but he has some family issues going on as much as they talked about it. I don't know if there's any further detail that's been shared, but certainly going to miss him and appreciate the opportunity to have had him on the show to talk to him about some of his goals with the UNLV birthdays myself. March 2 out of turn. 5054. Don't, don't, don't lie. Man. 74 How did I get 50 tingle up in into my mouth. West Wes over there, laughing. I'm like, How did I say that? Mike Cooper, a long time friend. Ernest fountain, brother in law, Carolyn bibble used to work for 91 point 81 88.1 she used to work for and Ingrid, who worked for the city. We were colleagues with City of Las Vegas for many years. And capito Trina homes her birthday as well. And then as far as condolences, certainly want to express condolences to the family of Orlando Hogan, senior, long time friend of mine, and I can tell you many stories, because me and Lanny really hung together for many, many years. We also lost one of the great singers of our time, Jerry Butler, and also Roberta Flack, and we had an opportunity marsh and I went down to Burt Washington's dad's funeral. He was 93 as he expired, and he's now ancestor. But what a great individual. And I didn't, I didn't realize he had a degree, Derek in biology. I'm like, what? So I told Bert, as I spoke at the service, you didn't have no other option than to become a great guy. He's a former fire chief, now Deputy Chief over in San Bernardino County. But anyway, just wanted to acknowledge those founders, and again, express condolences. So with that, I'm going to introduce our guest, Derek. Yep, that's me. Tell us a little bit about yourself. Derek, well,

Derek Turpen 4:48
I came way after your generation into the military, but I am a post 911 veteran. So I joined a little bit after 911 in 2003 I joined the Air Force. Nourse, my best friend, joined the Marine Corps about the same time. And I was like, You know what, I don't think I want to be a Marine now. Where are you from? Originally? I'm from Albuquerque, New Mexico. Albuquerque. Yeah, New Mexico. So last name Turpin. Turpin, yep. Okay, all right, yeah, and yeah. He went into the the MEP office and joined the Marine Corps. And I was like, Well, my dad was an Air Force veteran. I feel pretty good about the Air Force. They were a lot more casual. The recruiter was talking to me than the Marine Corps veteran. Was a little too intense for my taste. So, so what was your MOS so I was what's called a munition system specialists. So in the Air Force, we're known as ammo and in the like Navy would be the closest comp to our job. They're known as ordinance. So we have a slogan, and it's not safe for work, but I'll bleep out the bad stuff if it's if you ain't ammo, you ain't s. So we're a little rude, crude bunch of black sheep in the Air Force as

Dave Washington 6:02
well. Say, so you're out now. Are you still serving?

Derek Turpen 6:05
No, I'm out now. I joined in 2003 and I retired in 2023

Dave Washington 6:09
so you, you are a veteran, a retired type. See, I did my two years, yeah, as a draftee in patios.

Derek Turpen 6:17
I know I'm I'm a bit of an outlier. I've talked to other veterans on this campus, and I'm easily the oldest by, you know, a decade and some change, but yeah, I did my 20 and retired great job. I'm glad I served, but now I'm what's called a non traditional college student. So yeah, I'm older than some of my teachers, and you are studying what? So I started off as a Comm major, because communication studies really kind of appealed to me. And as I started studying the subject, you know, rhetoric and comm theory, I really enjoyed that. But also I have a passion for journalism as well. So sports, sports and entertainment media is what I'm really into, and that really appeals to me. So I decided I double major, and the MGI Bill lets you do that, so I'm doing comm Studies and Journalism. So

Dave Washington 7:09
how did you decide to come to UNLV? Well,

Derek Turpen 7:12
my wife, we moved here in 2021 Nellis Air Force Base was my last duty station, okay? And she got a great job in this town. So we were like, I'm about to retire. We don't want to pull up stakes. You have a you have a great job. So, and she's like, take this opportunity of this, like chapter in your life, this change, and use your GI Bill to go to school. And it was really good advice, because, you know, I came in with my associate's degree that I earned while I was serving, so I came in already with some credits closer to my bachelor's degree. That

Dave Washington 7:48
was very wise, because, in fact, I have only an associate's degree, and I have some classes toward a bachelor's, but I never completed it. In fact, when I was selected to be the fire chief for Las Vegas Fire and Rescue, they asked me, what was I going to do about my formal education? I said, I'm going to work on finishing it. But you talk about your age difference with the some of the students that you are in class with? Yeah, I was the old dude. I'm like, Man, I hope they don't call on me. I'm watching these youngsters. Derek, they're on their computers. They get called on they don't miss a beat. They answer the question, they go back. I'm like, No, my head is throbbing. I'm coming from work, and I just couldn't get back into the I tell people, you know, if it's about going to school and you want to go to school, if you have that drive, keep it rolling. So if you want to get a masters, I'm telling you, man, Derek, keep rolling, because once that brain shuts down. Man, it's hard to recharge that battery. You know, I

Derek Turpen 8:38
got some good advice. I kind of tend to pick out other veterans when I'm in town, so I work out at this EOS gym in North Vegas, and I started chatting up a buddy of mine there, Fred, he's a Navy veteran, and he did kind of the same thing. I mean, I don't think he retired, but he did separate. And he was like, You know what they're paying for my school. And he and, like you said, he just kept going. He was like, Well, I got my masters now what? And then he's like, you know, what? How about I enter the doctorate program and do that? And I was like, man, it's, that's, you know, tough stuff. But he's like, it's totally worth it, you know, if you, if you got the drive like you're talking about, right, might as well just keep pushing forward. But, you know, we always have this, like, war of the generations thing going on, you know, like, I'm a millennial and I'm going to class with a bunch of Gen Z ers, and alpha is not too far behind that. But I got to give credit to these, these students that I'm going with, you know, they're every bit as sharp and smart as you know, you think that you want them to be, you know, sometimes they're just super quick on stuff that, you know, I'm not as savvy on and then other times I can bring to them some experience, a little bit of like discipline, you know, a little bit of guidance, absolutely,

Dave Washington 9:47
well. You know, I went to University of Phoenix, and very quickly they had the group sessions, and they, they know I like to talk, and don't have no problem talk. So I would be my goal. They put all the work together. I was. The presenter, we got about two more minutes. So give us some some closing remarks about what you are planning to do, and any, I don't say advice, I'd say any suggestions that you would like to share with your military veterans. Who do listen to this show, well,

Derek Turpen 10:12
I'd say, You know what, take full advantage if you didn't sign over your MGI Bill, you know, post 911 to your family members, which is a great thing. That's awesome, too. And there is also the tuition advantage of, you know, for veterans that are 100% disabled to get their kids free tuition at college, you know, take full advantage of your educational benefits, because it can just unlock so many doors and open your minds. And I do have to shout out, UNLV, you know, they do rank in one of the top 10, as far as you know, military friendly colleges, and you really do get that feel when you're here. You know, everyone is super friendly and welcoming, and the response at the veterans office is super fast to help you. And who's at the veterans office? I'm sorry I'm forgetting his name. I want to say Ross.

Dave Washington 10:55
Ross, yes, yeah, he's Ross Ryan. I've been trying to get him back on the show. He had some medical issues a few months back, where sometime last year. But anyway, I am so pleased, and I'll let Jason know how happy I am that you were recommended to come on the show. So thank you so very much, and I think that you will do well as a journalist, and we wish you well. This is Veterans Affairs plus some 91.5 jazz and more. You

good day once again, Las Vegas. This is Veterans Affairs, plus on 91.5 jazz and more. My second guest will is Chief Mac Travis with Clark County Fire out having some exchange with him after I make a couple of quick announcements. Once again, I want to encourage folks out there who live in town or even out of town. The Carl Holmes executive development institute will be hosting a golf event on April 10 at Las Vegas golf club, and we're honoring two of our ancestors, that's chief Hershel Clady and chief Spike Jones. Additionally, I'd like to share that Carla Holmes, when the co founder of our program, Dr Holmes, daughter she has was most recently appointed to the position after serving interim interimly for just a short period of time, she's now our permanent executive director. So she's been doing an outstanding job, and just wanted to acknowledge her chief, how you doing it? Yeah, my brother doing good. Chief, thank you for having me. Good. Good for sure. So give our listening audience a little bit of background on yourself, please. Well,

Mack Travis 12:30
little bit of background on me. I'm born and raised Las Vegas. My entire life. Graduated from high school locally, at Valley High School, 1988 went off to school UC Berkeley from 88 through 93 briefly played in NFL with Detroit Lions, year year and a half second year, was on the practice squad, came back here in town in 95 the end of 95 almost 96 and been a public servant ever since, worked part time with Department of Family youth services and juvenile detention. Worked as an adult parole and probation officer, court service officer with the state, full time with the county as a juvenile probation officer, and then village of Fire Department since 2001 wow.

Dave Washington 13:18
So that was a pretty nice move. You. So you were already in purse, yes, sir. How many years prior to joining the fire department? I

Mack Travis 13:27
think, I think I had almost five years, okay, time I got on the fire department.

Dave Washington 13:31
Oh, cool. So what is your current assignment? My

Mack Travis 13:35
current assignment, I'm the Assistant Chief of recruitment. My where I reside is at the training center. We've just changed chiefs, so now my title is chief of recruitment and outreach community affairs, and we still working through the acronym right now, don't happen exact acronym laid out for but it's just more even more community engagement, trying to fall under one umbrella in regards to that.

Dave Washington 14:01
Well, let me tell you something, how important it is. In fact, when we had a we squeaked through a tax initiative. I think it was $555 million for stations, equipment, etc, etc, and we just barely squeaked through them. Why are you so upset, Chief? I said, Look, because people who needed us, the seniors up in the northwest, they voted no. We're trying to put a station up there. So, you know, for you guys is welfare, if you would, and but those things are so important as far as community engagement. In fact, during my tenure, I brought in Sherman Carter. He's now an ancestor. He's Deputy Chief out of Oklahoma City Fire Department, and Kwame Cooper, Assistant Chief out of LA City Fire Department, they came in and did community based fire servicing. And our guys, at first, they thought, this is garbage, but then, as they listened to them talk and the importance of getting out into the community and engaging with. The public. It is essential for those things, such as a tax initiative or a bond issue that you need that you are trying to get passed as an agency to help out with additional fire station construction equipment, etc, etc. If you go out there and already be engaged with the community, they are more apt to vote in your favor. But if you haven't been around like, oh, here y'all who you guys come now, huh? Here

Mack Travis 15:24
you come again, and asking for for our help. And it's funny to hear you mention those names. And I mean, you know, being a student at EDI, I had classes from both of those, those names you just, you know, mentioned. And you know, a lot of the lessons that we learned at EDI is what I've tried to emulate and then invoke my entire career. You know, all that on my old I live eternally in the red in my class, it was I stand on the shoulders giants that came before me. And so my thing is, there's always been an opportunity to make an impact in the community in the role of recruitment, just doing what you're supposed to been doing your entire career. You know, we're supposed to be of service. People are supposed to see us in the capacity and more than just running calls. And it's a badge of honor for me. So it's, it's been a great fit. You know, I don't have to talk to you about resources, and we're always resource deficient, but we're never deficient in heart desire, a willingness to get out there and make things happen, and I can be more blessed.

Dave Washington 16:24
Well, tell us a little bit about the agency itself and what the area that you serve.

Mack Travis 16:29
Well, I mean, Clark County is the to say it to you, who are the largest department the state of Nevada. You know, Incorporated, unincorporated, 32 paid stations and now 10 volunteer stations, and we serve everything. You know, the most famous or recognizable is the strip, but Clark County encompasses so much more than just the strip in its properties, and we, you know, a multitude of services. You know, from our tech rescue, hoping to get our hazmat program back eventually, you know, prevention investigations. You know, we just had a new chief appointed, and he's taken us in a direction where we're offering even more services. You know, special events are huge. Now. We're going to have multiple sports teams. We already have a football team, baseball team soon coming, and I'm pretty sure we're going to get a basketball team eventually, all of the various conventions and the different services we offer. We will offer a multitude of services, the Born project that we have going on. You know, with the Tesla tunnel, there are so many services, which means there are so many different opportunities for any potential member of the organization that wants to join Clark County, and that's my job, to go out and find those members.

Dave Washington 17:46
That's great. You know, if my memory serves me correctly, you guys are just under 8000 square miles total that you serve, and you say you have 10 volunteer stations there? Yes,

Mack Travis 17:56
we have 10 volunteer stations because the Moapa Fire District, which was part of our volunteer division for walls, their own separate entity. Now we have 10 volunteer stations all throughout in the west north going down towards Laughlin, all throughout good Springs area, Blue Diamond calendar, very we have, I don't want to mention some and not mention them all, sure, yeah, but

Dave Washington 18:24
that's that's interesting that I didn't realize you guys had so many volunteer stations. And I didn't realize that out in the Moapa Valley area, Dave, Dave, have a fire district.

Mack Travis 18:34
Yeah. It's when I tell any prospective candidate chief is that there are so many opportunities here in the Valley. And even though I'm the chief of recruitment for Clark County, and that's my priority, I recruit is hard for the city of Las Vegas, North Las Vegas, Henderson, and every other department, because I want good people in the valley, sure, and we can't hire them all, so if we can help anyone you know, gain the insight due to preparation it's going to take to be a good candidate, and another agency hires them. God bless them. You know, we didn't get to them first, but I just want good people in this valley. This is why I was born and raised, and I want that level of service given to the entire valley. And we run together all the time, so Absolutely, we're gonna see him again. Yeah.

Dave Washington 19:13
You know, in fact, as far as that is concerned, I would, I would always be doing it for the purpose. Like you said, I tell people get in where you fit in. If Henderson calls you, well, you know, I want to work for me tell you something. You better. You better. If somebody offers you a job, you better grab it, because the competition to get in it is so it is at such a high level, and we only have so many jobs. So if somebody offers you, you better grab it,

Mack Travis 19:40
sir. The best department is the one that hires you first. Exactly. Yeah,

Dave Washington 19:44
you could talk about, you want to go here and you want to go there, and generally people, once they get in, they said, Now, during my career, we've had, I've had guys and ladies who go like that. They come, they leave the county, come to Las Vegas, and vice versa, you know, because they wanted to follow. Friends and this and that. But I tell you, it's a great career field. Great career field. Yes,

Mack Travis 20:05
sir. I each and every day you go to work as a professional firefighter. I mean, most people don't know that 85 90% of the calls we run are medical calls, and so every call to service is an opportunity to make somebody's day significantly better than it was when when they called 911, and it's a self gratifying, self rewarding job. Each and every day, you're going to get that probably 1012 times a day, you leave work each day knowing that you've made a difference and that you've impacted somebody's life positively, absolutely. So you can't put a price tag on That's right.

Dave Washington 20:38
And speaking of EMT requirement me and Sam Smith, God rest his soul. I did go to the thing where they honored him. Crystal. They did in the young attorney guy, I forget his name. They did a great job over at the West Side Art Center. Sam wanted us to not require EMT, and I was on the opposite side of that. So the mayor asked us to meet. So we met with Mayor Oscar Goodman, HR, Director Claudette Innis, and I told him, why? Because I'm a deputy chief. I think I was the fire marshal at the time. I said, Well, I'm a steward of the public dollar, and it will take a number of weeks off the training if they are required to have EMT training coming in. And Sam said it's going to hurt the minority community. And he was right. So when I saw the pain and the few people that we couldn't get because most folks and who can blame them, why would I go pay 12 I don't know what the fee is now. Why would I go pay 12, $1,500 for a certification that I might get a job right now? So I double back and I said, Man, we need to meet again. Whatever. What do you want to do? Chief? I said, Look, this is my proposal. And they, and they did go along with I said, Look, based upon what Captain Smith said, I think we should, at a minimum, allow people to apply, but before they get a job offer, so they could apply for the job without the EMT and those eligible lists gonna last, as you know, 18 to 24 months. They have time to go get the EMT. That makes more sense. So they did. They changed it over where you could apply, but you didn't have to have EMT. I don't know where it sits now, but I think it's just a very important step to take, if you're true, to wanting to get people in who may not have the financial resources to go out and get various certifications, and

Mack Travis 22:24
it's the same way now, Chief you you can apply without it. We will hire you without it. The likelihood that you're going to be hired without any EMT certification is less, of course, right? But you have to obtain it by the end of your probationary year. So we encourage any candidate to go out and get it recently, the Office of Economic Development and partner with Workforce Connection or Workforce Solutions. I'm sorry. They just created the EMT Academy. Commissioner Kirkpatrick was able to secure funds from the Recovery Act, and they created an EMT program, all costs, inclusive. So the I just spoke at the orientation yesterday, actually, we had over 700 people applied for it, fully paid for uniforms or reading materials. Everything is covered and is trying to eliminate one of those barriers for anyone who's interested in applying for an opportunity to be hired

Dave Washington 23:24
by fire departments. So so how many will they take in? Do you know? Well, they they're

Mack Travis 23:29
going to take in for each class, which they're calling a cohort, a minimum of 24 so it'll be 48 people for the first two cohorts, and they're going to run several additional cohorts this year, and so the program will pay for EMT up to paramedic for a certain number of of applicants. Wow,

Dave Washington 23:48
yes. Well, kudos to Commissioner Kilpatrick. That is wonderful work. Uh, Commissioner, because folks want that opportunity built. Everybody just can afford to go pay that money. So that is kudos. So when you see it, tell I said, Great job commission. We appreciate you very much. And as I trust that many of those students do as well. Now you mentioned something that really triggered my brain. Now you said you have various sports teams that you guys, or you're supporting sports teams out there, like youth, in regards to, I'm sorry, the sports teams. I was talking to the county in particular. I mean, all of the major sports teams, they're going to reside in the county. So, oh, you talk about the professional sports team, because I'm like, Man, I know we got rid of the police, fire, football and but, you know, it was too many injuries. It's back online, Chief. They have a game this May, at Gorman High School, and it's in you the actual dates, and it's actual tackle. Tackle, yes, sir, let me tell you something. Never played football. I know you remember our deceased colleague, Lawrence. We're clipped now. We were training out of Western High School. The western high school coaches was our coaches for the firefighters side. You know, I was taught, you know, never played organized football. In fact, when you, when you go down to sign up to play, I had a goose egg, zero experience. I was putting the pads on back. Man, what are you doing? Ain't just they do, no, they don't go on like that. But anyway, I was always taught when it come when a running back is coming through, because I was more of a safety get low. Lawrence mccliffe ran over me like a freight train. Man, my shoulder hurt me. Then to the game. Mouthpiece, I don't need no mouthpiece. I'm coming down the field again on special teams, one of them big cops about your size, hit me under my chin and my me and my jaw hurt me for a month. Next year, I had two mouthpieces. Oh, man, you learn your lesson. I learned my lesson. Man, there's, there's a need, and they do this for a reason, sir, yes, sir. So as we prepare to close out here, we got a few more minutes yet, but share some some thoughts in terms of anyone who's interested, seriously interest, because I always feel if you interested, don't waste our time, but if you have that drive, and everybody don't get in the first time, I know one guy took him eight time, but he had, he wouldn't quit. Some people stop after one or two, right?

Mack Travis 26:09
And that's unfortunate. You know, one of the things you learn in this profession is there's a lot of preparation that goes into becoming a firefighter, and then once you get the job, that's a lot. You're a career student. If you want to promote you start studying a year before a promotional exam. A lot of work goes into being responsible, learning the job, the nuances of the job, and being able to teach it so that you develop unconscious competence, that you have the ability to do the job in the most dynamic situations, which is what every emergency is, and that you're confident in doing that. So I tell anyone, if you want more information, ccfd.org, I make time for everybody. I got a minimum of an hour for everybody, right? You know that I'm going to set aside office time and try to map out a course for them, try to keep them situated so that they're going to be successful. The one thing I tell everyone though, I won't chase you to help you. That's right, I'm willing to work as hard as you are to give you this opportunity, but if I got to chase you to help you, you're not, you're not the type of candidate we need exactly, because you're not going to be there when we need you. And perfect,

Dave Washington 27:15
perfect man, let me tell you something, Chief, I had this, this young lady, in fact, Carol Santiago, she has a bookstore right around where the w the WSO is, okay? She said, I went to the bookstore because I always buy books for my for my grandchildren. She said, Chief. I got, I got a young man a friend of mine's a son. He wants to be a firefighter. I said, Okay, give you my number. He said, he never heard from you. He never, he never left a message. One right and let me, let me say this. Now, you was, you was blowing this young man up. I need to hear that from him. Still have, still haven't heard from him. Now, case in point, another young lady, her grandpapa was one of the first morticians here in town gate. I forget her first name. My son wants to be a firefighter. The next day that young man called me, he kept chief. I'm like, I'll get to you, but he would not leave me alone till he heard from me. That's what you want. This other kid, I haven't heard from him yet, I said, and he was between police and fire. Say, maybe he wants to be a police officer, but I haven't heard from him. I think we're close to our time. Let me tell you, appreciate you coming, and we'll get you whatever you want to come to talk about what you're doing. Chief, you're welcome. Thank you. So once again, this is Veterans Affairs, plus on 91.5 jazz and more. I'm Dave Washington, your host, and we just had from the wonderful Clark County Fire Department with the number one level of personnel. It is Clark County. They're number one. We're number two or three, but anyway, appreciate you, Chief, thank you for having me. All right. Hey.

Music 29:02
Oh, hey, all the smoke in the air till they hate when they stare all the pain that we bear. Oh. Bear, all you bear.