Don was a firefighter with the Arlington Fire Department since 1986. He received the Medal of Valor, was Firefighter of the Year, Rookie of the Year, recognized twice as a member of the Crew of the Year, and was recipient of the Chief's Five Standards Award. Don was instrumental in development of the HazMat Team in 1988, with which he served 21 years and was the last active founding member. He was also a member of the Bomb Squad and TechRescue Team. Don used his mechanical knowledge to develop many of the tools used by the department. He continually sought the difficult assignments and all who worked with him regard him as an outstanding firefighter and one of the hardest working men they knew.
