Shawn has been involved in emergency services since 1990 where he stated as a volunteer fire fighter and volunteer EMT with Caromi Fire Department and South Berkeley EMS Ladson, SC. Shortly after that he went to work with North Charleston District Fire Department where he served as a Captain over the Rescue Unit and Hazmat Team. While at the District Fire Department he became a South Carolina Fire Academy Instructor. He also worked with Ashley River Fire Department as a Battalion Chief and Fire Inspector. In 2001, he went to work with Charleston County Emergency Preparedness Division and started as a Volunteer with the County Rescue Squad. The Rescue Squad hosted the first LAR class to be taught by Dr. Tomas Gimenez and Dr. Rebecca Gimenez. While there he developed the County’s LAR Team and the training program in conjunction with the South Carolina Clemson Livestock Poultry Health which coordinates ESF-17 for the State of SC. He also developed a Disaster Animal Response Team (DART) program for the State as well, part of the CERT program. Shawn also serves as a Logistics Section Chief with the Lowcountry Type III Incident Management Team (IMT), and is a handler with the SC Search Dog Team with his trailing beagle Smartie Jones. He is also certified in Swiftwater Rescue, Technical and Trench Rescue, and a Master Scuba Diver. He along with his wife owns and operates Graymoure Stables.