Jared Van Ek is a lieutenant with the Spartanburg City Fire Department in South Carolina - an ISO Class 1 and Internationally Accredited Fire Department.  He is a 31-year fire service veteran – serving 24 years as a volunteer and the last 7 as a career firefighter. 

Jared is passionate about fitness and is an avid trail runner and Spartan racer.  He is a certified Peer Fitness Trainer, a CrossFit level 1 Trainer and leads a Fitness Team as the Fire Department’s Peer Fitness Coordinator.  

Jared is also a shift Training Coordinator for the department and is a part time instructor at the Spartanburg County Emergency Services Academy.  

In addition, Jared is also the President of the Spartanburg City Professional Firefighters Association, IAFF Local 369.

Jared has been married to his wife Mary for 25 years and has two daughters, Rachael and Leah.  He enjoys spending time with his family at the beach and the lake.