Congratulations to the department’s three newest Driver Engineers: Clayton Kiddey, Sage Stephens, and Anthony Tj Woods! The three were promoted in a ceremony held March 31 at Fire Station 1, in the company of family, friends, and colleagues. The ceremony marks an important step in their careers.
Their biographies share more:
Clayton Kiddey joined the Lakeland Fire Department (LFD) in May 2013 as a Firefighter / EMT.
Kiddey, a born and raised Lakeland-native is a 2011 graduate of Kathleen High School. Upon graduating, Clayton attended Hillsborough Community College and Ridge Fire Academy where he earned his certifications to become a firefighter.
In his time at the department, Clayton has completed Urban Search and Rescue courses and is actively a member of the department’s Technical Rescue Team, FL-421.
This is the first of several promotions Clayton has in mind, sharing that he intends to pursue his two-year degree, as well as fire instructor and officer classes. He intends to apply himself as a Driver Engineer and learn as much as he can before setting his sights on his next goal, becoming a lieutenant.
Clayton is joined today by his mother, father, grandparents, brother, sister-in-law, and his lovely nieces and nephews who have supported him throughout his career at the department. As apparent from the family support he is receiving today, Clayton is very much a family man.
When not at work or spending time with family and friends, Clayton enjoys boating, hunting, and fishing. Additionally, Clayton is a talented wood and metalworker who spends his free time away from LFD in his workshop.
Clayton shares “I would like to thank all of my family, friends, and co-workers for the overwhelming support.”
Sage Stephens joined the Lakeland Fire Department (LFD) in January of 2014, as a Firefighter / Paramedic and has served in that role until his promotion to Driver Engineer today.
Sage is a Florida native, born and raised in nearby Dade City. He attendee Pasco High School and upon graduating attended Pasco-Hernando Community College where he attained his Paramedic certification and an associate degree in Emergency Medical Services. Sage values professional development and growth, having successfully completed several fire services like Fire Officer I, Fire Instructor I, Technical Rescue Specialist, Pump Operator, and Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting to name a few. Sage is involved in the department as a training instructor. Sage intends to continue to apply himself and grow at the department, sharing that he is looking forward to growing professionally as a Driver Engineer and assuming new roles in due time.
Sage is joined today by his wife, Vanessa. He enjoys spending his free time away from the department traveling with her, enjoying the great outdoors, and hanging out with their two dogs, Milton and Koda.
Anthony “Tj” Woods joined the Lakeland Fire Department (LFD) in May of 2013, as a Firefighter / Paramedic and has served in that role until his promotion to Driver Engineer today.
Anthony, known affectionately as Tj around the department, is originally from Maryland, but a true Floridian at heart. He moved to the sunshine state at the age of 16 and went on to graduate from Lakewood Ranch High School. After high school, Anthony studied carpentry, fire science, emergency medicine, paramedicine at Manatee Technical Institute. Anthony kept that study ethic up after school, going on to obtain certifications in urban search and rescue and aircraft rescue and firefighting. He intends to continue taking technical rescue classes and learning as much as he can in his new role as a Driver Engineer.
Anthony is joined by his wife, Katie, and their children, Adrian and Ella. Anthony is an outdoorsman at heart and enjoys spending his free time in the great outdoors with his family, boating and fishing.
Congratulations to them all on their promotion to Driver Engineer. The role of Driver Engineer comes with immense responsibility and the Lakeland Fire Department is confident that they will all excel in this new role!