This page was posted prior to my retirement in 1998. If you would like to see an update as of July 2007, Click Here.
Hi! I AM Fort Hartsfield! That's right, Fort Hartsfield is a person, not some obscure Army Post on the Base Closure list. Who am I, and why do I have a page on the World Wide Web? Read all about me below.
"Fort?" "That's sure an unusual first name." "How did you get such an unusual name?" This is usually one of the first questions I'm asked when I make a new acquaintance. If anyone out there has a clever answer for that one, please let me know! The truth is, the name came from a serial detective novel my Mom was reading in a magazine while she was pregnant with me. The hero's name in this story was Fortune, but was referred to by his friends as Fort; my Mom liked the nickname so much, you guessed it, I ended up with it. (In the 1980's, a short lived television series was based on that detective serial, but the main character, Fortune Kane, was never nicknamed Fort, so no one made the connection)
Of course I got teased a lot about my name as a kid. I can't tell you how many bloody noses I've had after loosing my temper when some kid called me Fart! After a while I got to the point that I was giving as good as I got, but then we'd go and move and I'd get started being beat up by a new group of kids!
In spite of it all, I grew up having a pretty normal childhood. A happy kid with an unusual first name. Now I like it. I don't know anyone else with it, and I never have any trouble starting a conversation! I've even made up stories about how I got the name. Never did any good though; I always knew the truth.
Although born in Arkansas, my family moved to California when I was four years old. We lived for a while in a farm labor camp in the San Joaquin Valley, then in a federal housing project in Richmond, and eventually ended up in San Leandro when my Dad got on the San Leandro Fire Department. I graduated from San Leandro High School in 1961, joined the Navy, saw the world, and received an honorable discharge in 1965. Shortly after my discharge, I married my one and only wife, Sharon, and in 1966, our one and only daughter, Kimberly, was born.
I worked for a while in a paper box factory, then with the City of Oakland as a tree trimmer. In 1967 I followed in my Dad's footsteps and joined the ranks of the Fremont Fire Department as a Fire Fighter (Fireman in those days!). I was promoted to Captain in 1972, assigned to the Fire Prevention Division in 1983, and reassigned back to Operations in 1985. By then I'd had enough of the 24 hour shift and started looking for a job in the fire service with normal hours. I found it as the Fire Marshal for the San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District in July of 1986. That's where I've been ever since!
If you're reading this now, it means that March 31, 1998 has come and gone, and I have retired from the Fire Service. I can't imagine a more rewarding and enjoyable career. During my 31 year career I had the opportunity to do a lot of things. I was able to acquire and Associates Degree in Fire Science, a Bachelors Degree in Management, a community college teaching credential, a substitute teachers credential, a Chief Officers Certificate through the State Fire Academy, an Executive Fire Officer Certificate from the National Fire Academy, a private investigators license, and was able to participate in literally hundreds of special training opportunities.
Along the way I worked part time as a handyman, a Fire Science Instructor, a substitute teacher, an Adjunct Instructor for the National Fire Academy, and as a private investigator. I served as a union representative for 7 years, including a term as Secretary and two terms as Vice President for Local 1689. I even served on the Board of the Nor Cal FPO's from 1990-1998, and was the President in 1996/97. I've had a ball!
My most recent interest has been in computers, and in particular, the Internet. Nor Cal members began making suggestions several years ago that Nor Cal establish a Web Site. Well, now that I'm retired, I've had some time to follow up on those suggestions. So, here it is; my first attempt! Please let me know what you think. I'm open to advise on how to improve, and I'm learning how to do more almost every day.
Anyone out there who might be thinking about establishing their own Web Site, and wants some one to do the design, this is one of the things I plan on doing as a side line during my retirement. If you think I might be able to do the job for you, please get in touch. I'll do my best, and for Nor Cal members or sponsors, I'll give you the best bargain I can!
For now, please take the time to browse through the Nor Cal Web Site. Please be sure to visit our sponsor's page; if it wasn't for these folks, we wouldn't be on the Web! Also, I think you'll find the Links Page a valuable resource. In any case, you'll have a chance to look over the latest minutes of your favorite committee!
See you at the next FPO meeting!
Send comments and mail to:forthart@pacbell.net
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