Jay Ortiz was appointed the Public Safety Chaplain on December 11th, 2014. Before coming to be with the City, he was an associate pastor for 4 years and a head pastor for 4 years at North Beach City Church.
Work History
He Started with the North Myrtle Beach Department of Public Safety in October 2008. Chaplain Ortiz was promoted to a Fire Inspector position in January 2012 where he currently holds an office simultaneously with the Chaplaincy. He holds a General Bible Certificate from World Harvest Bible College, and is a member of the Federation of Fire Chaplains, as well as the Public Safety Chaplains Association. He has been an active member on First Responder Assistance and Support Team (F.A.S.T.) for the past 3 years as well as South Carolina Law Enforcement Assistance Program (SCLEAP) for the past 4 years.
Fire Work History
DFM Jay Ortiz hails from Illinois with a degree from Sauk Valley College. He began his career with the City of North Myrtle Beach as a Firefighter in October 2008. Jay promoted to the DFM position in January 2012. Fire DFM Ortiz also facilitates the Public Education Program and also serves as Department Chaplain.
Training
DFM Ortiz has completed the eighteen month Public Safety Chaplaincy Course at Lenoir-Rhyne University, a Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary in Columbia, South Carolina. Jay is one of only nine Public Safety Chaplains in the state of South Carolina to hold this accreditation. He has had training in Assisting Individuals and groups in crisis intervention and peer support. Jay has also been trained to recognize the indicators of stress related to traumatic and moral injuries, including P.T.S.D.
Family
DFM Ortiz has been married to his beautiful wife, Sommer for 18 years and has 2 beautiful daughters, Amia,16 and Ariana, 8.