The “Guardians of THE LAND,” deliver safety for the people. Service without expectation and an extraordinary commitment to our community.
Click Below To Meet This Month’s Guardians of THE LAND
Meet Lt. Eric Seaberry who has been a part of the fire service for more than 28 years. Eric’s career began as a Firefighter in the United States Air Force from November 1988 until January 1992. He then became a member of the East Cleveland Fire Department from January 1992 until September of ‘95 when he joined the Cleveland Division of Fire. Currently, Lt. Seaberry serves as the payroll liaison for the Division of Fire. His primary functions are to support and facilitate payroll issues for Division of Fire personnel Eric enjoys his work because it’s much different than what you would expect from a typical firefighter. He’s a behind the scenes guy and actually gets to see how the business side of the Division actually works with regards to a budget and infrastructure. In his spare time, Mr. Seaberry enjoys working with young people. For 11 years he coached basketball and mentored young men teaching them important life skills while engaging in the sport. He also enjoys training at the gym. Spending time with his 23 year old son who is a recent graduate with a degree in engineering and his wife of 25 years make Eric a proud father and husband. Lt. Seaberry’s 28 years of service are ripe with memorable experiences including numerous opportunities to help others and the lasting relationships created with his fellow firefighters.
Kiana Black is a Peace Officer with the Cleveland Division of Public Safety and has worked for the Department for 9.5 years. She enjoys meeting people just like herself; people who have problems and everyday circumstances that occur as a result of just living life. She believes that as a community , we are each other’s “Guardians” …..we are all teachers, neighbors, life coaches, and sources of inspiration. Officer Black’s favorite pass time is watching her son grow, spending time doing things with him as well as with her family and friends. She also writes poems and volunteers through various community and law enforcement organizations. Kiana enjoys seeking out opportunities to help others outside of her work. Her years on the job have been filled with memorable moments, but one that was probably her most impactful was when her personal life and work life collided. Unknowingly her late mother had been taken to the emergency room while Kiana was at work. Coincidentally, Kiana had a juvenile that needed to be taken to the hospital. When she arrived at the emergency room she was shocked to see her family all sitting there waiting for news. Her mother had told her siblings not to bother Kiana while she was at work. Kiana reveals that God knew that her mother was just as important to her as the job so Life had a wonderful way of allowing Ms. Black to not miss out on either priority.
Introducing Yolanda Thomas, a Paramedic at Medic 6/Fire Station 6 which is located on the eastside in the Lee\Harvard area of the city. Yolanda has been a Paramedic at Cleveland EMS for 11 years. She began her career as an EMT then completed the Paramedic Program at Cuyahoga Community College. Currently she is a Field Training Officer, and thoroughly enjoys training new cadets. Yolanda was inspired to become a Paramedic because she loves to help people. Initially her goal was to go to medical school, but being a Paramedic has been very rewarding. Ms. Thomas also holds a Double Bachelor Degree from Cleveland State University. What Yolanda enjoys most about her job is the impact and impression she leaves while making a difference in someone’s life, meeting new people, learning new things and serving the community in which she grew up. Yolanda appreciates working alongside Fire, Police and the EMS dispatchers who together play an intricate roll in the safety of the citizens of Cleveland. The women behind the uniform is dynamic and outgoing. Yolanda’s favorite pastime is traveling, educating and doing Hair and Make-up. She’s also a Hairstylist/Make-up Artist/Platform Artist. When Yolanda isn’t working as a Paramedic, she travels throughout the country teaching Hairstylist the latest hair and fashion trends. Yolanda’s most memorable time on the job was during one of Cleveland’s worse winter storms when they were called to assist a woman in labor. She and her partner couldn’t bring a bed or stair chair into the building because the snow was too deep and when they got to the patient she was already in full labor! Teamwork and training allowed them to immediately deliver a healthy baby girl.