M. E. (Eddie) Pyle, Jr. was born in Lafayette, Louisiana in 1955, was graduated from Cathedral –Carmel High School in 1973 and in 1981 received the following degrees:  Bachelor of General Studies with a major in applied science and an Associate of Science in Industrial Technology, University of Southwestern Louisiana; he was also the first student to receive an Associate of Science in Fire Science from LSU-E; In 1998 he was graduated from Our Lady of the Lake College with an Associate Degree in Nursing .  During the last 34 years, Eddie pursued his interest in various fields including:  Firefighter, Lafayette Fire Department; EMT, Acadian Ambulance Service, Inc;  Loss Control Specialist, Aetna Casualty and Surety;  Safety Supervisor, Cajun Electric Power Cooperative, Registered Nurse-Telemetry, Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center; and Coordinator/Manager with LSU FETI (formerly the LSU Firemen Training Program).

Eddie began his career with the LSU Firemen Training Program in 1983, working for 2 years in Industrial Fire Training, established the EMS Training Program in 1985 and participated in the delivery of the Vehicle Rescue  and Rope/Confined Space Rescue Programs .  He has had the honor to work under several directors and managers with LSU including:  Tom Hebert, Chuck Russell, Arlen Gross, Carroll Herring, Wil Dane and Jeff Gleason (the current FETI Director).  During this time he received numerous certifications including:  Louisiana Bureau of EMS Instructor, Firefighter I, II, III, Driver/Operator, Fire Officer I, Fire Instructor I and II, Dive Rescue Specialist (Scuba Schools International) and Swift Water Rescue Specialist and participated in numerous dive responses during this time period.  He also attended the National Fire Academy on numerous occasions, participating in Course Development and EMS Administration classes.  After leaving LSU in 1990, Eddie returned in 1999 to re-establish the EMS Program and provide nursing, emergency medical care and safety services to the student and staff populations at FETI. He participated in re-implementing rope/confined space rescue, vehicle rescue and the development of trench and structural collapse (USAR) rescue courses.  He currently serves on the ISFTA Vehicle Rescue Committee and participated for several years as a member of the Louisiana Bureau of EMS Task Force.

 To date, the EMS Section offers courses in:  First Responder, EMT-Basic, EMT-Paramedic, Basic Life Support, Advanced Cardiac Life Support, Pediatric Advanced Life Support and refreshers in all of the above course listings.  Eddie holds instructor certifications for all of these courses. As a Registered Nurse, Eddie serves as the “occupational health/school nurse” and is in the process of implementing various aspects of an employee wellness program.  As Safety Manager , Eddie chairs the FETI Safety Committee and is a member of the LSU Campus Safety Committee.

Eddie has lived in Baton Rouge since 1983 and has been married to Sue Pyle for 27 years.  They have two beautiful children, Zachary and Sarah, who currently attend college.  Hobbies and other pursuits include fishing, hunting, woodworking, and taekwondo.  He is currently a nationally certified taekwondo instructor and tournament judge, Assistant Chief of Tournaments for the ATA Region 116, and a certified 4th degree black belt.