By Jessica Curran
Typically, when someone is referred to as a “nice guy” in the fire service, you wait for the “but…”.
Driver/Paramedic Randy Shive’s coworkers are very quick to clarify that Randy really and truly is one of the best guys on the job. Not only is he very competent and skilled at his job, but he also has a genuine and compassionate heart.
Randy just celebrated his 15th year with the Collierville Fire Department and has been voted Firefighter of the Year by his fellow firefighters. His Lieutenant, Clay McDearman, believes that Randy’s work ethic, positive attitude and willingness to help others has a lot to do with that.
“He gets along with everybody, and he never complains.” said Clay, “Randy’s always smiling”.
He started in Germantown as a Reserve and Part-Time Firefighter, but jokes that “they wouldn’t hire me”. Instead, Collierville Fire took a chance on Randy, to the great benefit of the citizens of Collierville.
Randy’s previous work experience came in the form of computer graphics/printing for 10 years before getting into the fire service. What prompted the career change?
He was motivated by two things – the events of 9/11 and the heroic efforts of the men and women that sacrificed their lives to try and save the lives of complete strangers, and his older brother Scotty Shive, who is a lieutenant with the Memphis Fire Department. The 10-year age gap between the brothers meant that Randy always looked up to his brother and trusted that following in his footsteps would be a good move for him.
Randy is also asked frequently to ride in the Lieutenants seat to help his shift. Riding out of rank is not always the easiest task, but Randy does it without complaint or batting an eye. Randy’s Battalion Chief Ricky Walker describes Randy as an example of a dedicated firefighter who has been involved in many rescues. Chief Walker adds that he is very proud to work with Randy.
Randy’s most memorable call to date? An ice rescue at Johnson Park, something he never thought he would see in his career in Tennessee.
Randy’s fellow firefighters have been singing his praises after an off-duty incident showed Randy’s true character. Randy was working out at ATC fitness in Collierville earlier this year when he noticed a crowd of people gathering around the cardio equipment. Randy noticed that employees were also running in that direction and became concerned. When Randy approached, he noticed a gentleman that was lying on the ground without a pulse and not breathing. Employees had initiated CPR, but Randy identified himself and took over CPR, making sure that 9-1-1 was called and asking if the facility had an AED. Lieutenant Sam Spires was the responding Lieutenant on the Engine Company and he believes that Randy’s quick action, willingness to use his skills and calm demeanor led to a positive outcome for the patient. This is a true “save” in the medical world, as the survival rate for cardiac arrests that happen outside of the hospital is 7-8%.
Randy is just glad he could be there to help, and notes that the incident has made him more observant of his surroundings in public places and large gatherings. While he hopes that nothing bad ever happens, he feels called to help and respond due to his training.
Randy is a local guy who attended Houston High School from 7th to 12th grade when it first opened. He played football in high school and attended Mississippi State, where he had a brief stint as a walk on for the football team. Randy has been married to Kristi Shive for 23 years and they have 3 children: 21-year-old- Cole, 19-year-old- Cayden and 14-year-old- Amery.
When Randy is not at work, he likes to be a jack of all trades, trying his hand at many different hobbies from fishing and hunting to making soap (although he says he’s no longer in the soap making business). Randy also enjoys cooking and says that fried fish and hushpuppies is his favorite fire station meal to cook.
While Randy doesn’t believe that his kids are going to follow in his footsteps in the fire service, he hopes that the younger generation knows that the fire service is a fun job, that is different every day and very gratifying.
His advice to those just getting into the field is this: try to keep a positive attitude even when those around you are being negative; show initiative, work hard and be eager to learn. of the citizens of Collierville.
Randy’s previous work experience came in the form of computer graphics/printing for 10 years before getting into the fire service. What prompted the career change?
He was motivated by two things – the events of 9/11 and the heroic efforts of the men and women that sacrificed their lives to try and save the lives of complete strangers, and his older brother Scotty Shive, who is a lieutenant with the Memphis Fire Department. The 10-year age gap between the brothers meant that Randy always looked up to his brother and trusted that following in his footsteps would be a good move for him.
Randy is also asked frequently to ride in the Lieutenants seat to help his shift. Riding out of rank is not always the easiest task, but Randy does it without complaint or batting an eye. Randy’s Battalion Chief Ricky Walker describes Randy as an example of a dedicated firefighter who has been involved in many rescues. Chief Walker adds that he is very proud to work with Randy.
Randy’s most memorable call to date? An ice rescue at Johnson Park, something he never thought he would see in his career in Tennessee.
Randy’s fellow firefighters have been singing his praises after an off-duty incident showed Randy’s true character. Randy was working out at ATC fitness in Collierville earlier this year when he noticed a crowd of people gathering around the cardio equipment. Randy noticed that employees were also running in that direction and became concerned. When Randy approached, he noticed a gentleman that was lying on the ground without a pulse and not breathing. Employees had initiated CPR, but Randy identified himself and took over CPR, making sure that 9-1-1 was called and asking if the facility had an AED. Lieutenant Sam Spires was the responding Lieutenant on the Engine Company and he believes that Randy’s quick action, willingness to use his skills and calm demeanor led to a positive outcome for the patient. This is a true “save” in the medical world, as the survival rate for cardiac arrests that happen outside of the hospital is 7-8%.
Randy is just glad he could be there to help, and notes that the incident has made him more observant of his surroundings in public places and large gatherings. While he hopes that nothing bad ever happens, he feels called to help and respond due to his training.
Randy is a local guy who attended Houston High School from 7th to 12th grade when it first opened. He played football in high school and attended Mississippi State, where he had a brief stint as a walk on for the football team. Randy has been married to Kristi Shive for 23 years and they have 3 children: 21-year-old- Cole, 19-year-old- Cayden and 14-year-old- Amery.
When Randy is not at work, he likes to be a jack of all trades, trying his hand at many different hobbies from fishing and hunting to making soap (although he says he’s no longer in the soap making business). Randy also enjoys cooking and says that fried fish and hushpuppies is his favorite fire station meal to cook.
While Randy doesn’t believe that his kids are going to follow in his footsteps in the fire service, he hopes that the younger generation knows that the fire service is a fun job, that is different every day and very gratifying.
His advice to those just getting into the field is this: try to keep a positive attitude even when those around you are being negative; show initiative, work hard and be eager to learn.
