Today we’d like to introduce you to Tyler Barrett
Hi Tyler, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I am originally from New York. My family moved to Richmond Hill, GA when I was in 8th grade. I played many sports throughout high school and wanted to play college basketball and study to become a high school teacher and basketball coach. I received a full scholarship for basketball and played my first two years at Mars Hill College located in Mars Hill, NC. It is a division 2 school just west of Asheville, NC. After my sophomore year, I wanted to relocate closer to my family, so I committed my last 2 years of eligibility to Armstrong State University located in Savannah, GA. In May of 2014, I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in history and began coaching with the Armstrong Women’s Basketball team. In the fall of 2015, I started my master’s degree in Sports Medicine with a focus on strength and conditioning. Coaching shifted from basketball to being a strength coach and working with men’s and women’s basketball, cross country, softball and soccer. I coached until I completed my master’s degree in May of 2017.
However, in the fall of 2016, I started to feel that I needed to do more for my community, myself, my friends and family and so I considered joining the military. I wanted a challenge and something to take me out of my comfort zone. Something that felt like it would make a difference. When I spoke to my parents about this thought, my dad recommended I look into the fire department. My dad, Glenn Carlson, has been with Savannah Fire for 20 years now. He is a retired police officer from New York as well. Once I did some research, I was immediately sold. I began training and preparing and waiting for applications to open for the Savannah Fire Department.
I began the Savannah Fire Department Fire Academy (recruit school) in March of 2017. I had a 3 month overlap with my master’s program which was quite the experience! My professors were awesome and allowed me to get my work done over the weekends while I was in class Monday through Thursday with the department. I graduated in May of 2017 from Armstrong State University with my master’s degree and on June 28th, 2017 from the academy.
I never looked back once I became a firefighter. It is such a rewarding career and while it is not always pretty, I genuinely feel it allows me to help others not only when I am on duty but when I am off duty as well. I am sure I will talk more about the fire service later in this interview.
November 2017 was the turning point for me though. A family friend who was like a brother to me, was tragically killed in a car accident on November 22nd, 2017. Mark Hummeldorf and his wife Angie, moved to Georgia several years earlier. Angie was my high school basketball coach, and our families became very close over the years. Mark worked for Savannah Fire for a couple years before going to Parris Island Fire Rescue. He was a Marine Veteran and hands d0wn someone I looked up to.
When Mark passed, life changed a lot for me. At first, it was not for the best. The time that people need to grieve does not have a limit and it felt like it there was no light at the end of that tunnel. A few who loved Mark like family used the grieving and love we had for him to create something special.
This was the beginning of the #HonorMark Foundation. A few friends and I hosted our first annual #HonorMark 5k in 2018. This “race” included mostly family and friends of Mark coming together to remember and honor Mark. We had roughly 65 people there. Fast forward to 2024, we’ve added a 10k, 5k Ruck and Kids Run to our event. We just finished our 7th year and had 700 registrations!
The #HonorMark Foundation is a nonprofit organization that was created in memory of Mark but we do so much more than just honor and remember him, because that is what he would’ve done. The #HonorMark Foundation gives back to first responder and military families in need each year with the money raised from our race. Our mission includes honoring and remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice on or off duty and keeping their memory alive. As the President of the foundation, I am honored and humbled by the support we have from friends, family and the community. We’ve been able to donate over $30,000 to 30 plus families in the last 7 years!
Other things to know about me is that I am an avid runner. This is something I love to do and is my happy place! I have run several Ultras (races over marathon distance) and will attempt my second 100 miler on December 27th, 2024. I love to read, go hiking, and spend time with my husband and 2 dogs.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has not always been a smooth road and I don’t expect it to be. I say that with an appreciation of discomfort, struggling and obstacles. As a collegiate athlete, balancing school, basketball and life was a challenge. Learning to navigate through those, however, helped me when I became a firefighter and President of the #HonorMark Foundation.
When you lose a loved one, you really begin to see things in a different light and in a way, it makes you a better person because you experience firsthand how precious life truly is. I had some struggles as mentioned when Mark passed like making bad decisions and I guess you could say being a little reckless but was able to overcome those struggles with the love I had surrounding me.
Being a firefighter has its struggles as well from the training we do to the calls we run and being away from family. It can be stressful and hard at times, but we find a way to make it. Staying focused, disciplined and remembering my “why” gets me through.
I can honestly say that overall, the obstacles and struggles are what made me who I am today. My determination, my resilience, my positivity and attitude, and how I approach situations is largely in part because of those rough times.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a firefighter for the Savannah Fire Department. I currently hold the rank of a Fire Engineer and am assigned to Engine 3. I’ve been in the fire service for 7.5 years now and absolutely love it. I have several certifications that include rope rescue technician, confined space technician, structural collapse, swift water, instructor 1, officer 1, vehicle machinery and am a public safety diver. I recently obtained my EMT certification as well. I lead our Peer Fitness Team and am a member of the Peer Support Team. In 2023, I organized Savannah Fire’s first 3.5 day girls camp, Camp Ignite. Camp Ignite if an all-girls firefighting camp that empowers, inspires and educates young women 14-21 about the fire service. I am very proud of our success with Camp Ignite and the great team I have that makes it happen. We held our second camp this past summer.
If there is something that sets me apart from others, not only pertaining to Savannah Fire, I’d say my work ethic and determination to help others. I go above and beyond to make sure others are taken care of and always give 110%. I am willing to do the extra work to get things done and genuinely want to see people succeed and do well.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
My parents are the first two who deserves credit. The morals and values they instilled in me as a kid and growing up go without saying. They taught me to always work hard, be respectful, take care of others and to never quit.
My husband has also played a significant role in my success especially in the last 6 years. He has always supported me, helped me, encouraged me and is there to give me a little push when he knows I need it. Without his support through the chaos, it would’ve been very difficult to make it to where I am today.
Angie Hummeldorf, this is Mark’s wife. She was my high school basketball coach and mentor, one of my best friends to this day. I trust her with my life and go to her for all sorts of advice. She is family and I am thankful for her guidance and support.
There are so many others in my life that I appreciate more than they know. From my siblings (I have a brother and sister) to my best friend in college and guys I work with, it takes a village. There is so much truth to that statement.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://honormark.wixsite.com/honormark
- Instagram: honormarkfoundation
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/honormarkhummeldorf/
- Other: @tylernicolebarrett or Tyler Barrett (www.facebook.com/tylercarlson05/)
