Michael Jay Steen was born in Columbia, South Carolina, in 1965, where he lived until 1989. His sister, Nancy, moved to Florida in 1986, and Mike followed in 1989. He quickly fell in love with the Sunshine State and all it had to offer.
Before moving to Florida, Mike worked as a pressman in Columbia, printing books and magazines on large presses. He continued in the same field after relocating but soon discovered a new passion—firefighting. After meeting his friend Ronnie Hall at church, Mike was introduced to the fire service and knew he had found his calling.
Determined to pursue his new career, he began volunteering at the Auburndale Fire Department while enrolling in Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) training at Polk State College. He then attended fire school at the Lake County Vocational Technical College in Eustis, Florida. Even before completing his fire training, Mike was hired by Hardee County Fire Rescue, where he gained valuable experience over six months.
In September 1992, Michael joined the City of Winter Haven Fire Department. Through dedication and hard work, he climbed the ranks from Firefighter to Driver and ultimately Lieutenant.
In 1999, the city offered to sponsor Michael’s attendance at the Police Academy to train as a medically skilled member of the Emergency Response Team (ERT). He eagerly accepted and graduated from the BLE 99-02 Academy, a 10-month commitment that he remembers fondly. After becoming a Reserve Police Officer, he gained the skills needed for his next endeavor—fire investigations.
With the arrival of a new fire chief, Tony Jackson, Winter Haven Fire Department established its own fire investigation unit. Michael, along with several colleagues, eagerly stepped into this role. Over the next decade, he worked as a Fire Investigator and Inspector, handling numerous arson cases. His investigations included high-profile cases such as an arson/attempted murder where an individual set a home on fire with two people inside and a tragic case where a mother intentionally set a fire that claimed both her life and her children’s. He also investigated fraudulent home and auto fires set for financial gain.
Beyond firefighting, Michael has an enduring passion for boating and the saltwater lifestyle. An avid boater for over 25 years, he is also a certified charter boat captain. Combining his expertise in fire investigations with his love for the sea, he now channels his experiences into writing riveting novels. His latest Caribbean Adventure series blends fiction with real-life arson and homicide cases, captivating readers with thrilling stories while offering insight into the world of fire investigations.
