Personal Narrative: My Life As A Firefighter

In 2012 I joined the Harlan Fire Department continuing my long standing commitment to my community as a volunteer firefighter EMT.  As a member of the fire department I respond to many different types of calls.  Some of these calls include but are not limited to wildland fires, structure fires, car accidents, and medical calls.  As an active member I was qualified as a Firefighter/EMT, confined space rescue technician, and technical rope rescue technician.   We have a wide range of equipment ranging from type one to type six engines, a heavy rescue truck, UTV, and a 75' ladder truck. With the equipment and training I was a part of a successful grain bin rescue saving the life of one local farmer and part of a successful rescue of a trapped

My career goal in the next 10-15 years is to have a badass job that not only brings out my love for firefighting, but also my desire and dedication to make a positive change in the wildland fire industry. To Help and make a difference in the wildland urban interface would be an amazing feat in my career goals.

One of civil air patrol's motto's in the cadet program is "rise to the challenge". When I first joined shortly after my 12th birthday I had NO idea what that meant. BUT over time I've learned SO much about myself and my abilities despite my age. Like most cadets...I want to use MY TIME in civil air patrol to inspire and lead...BUT--most of all I want to offer my service....to my friends , my family and my community....

One cloudy evening in 1995, there was a family that awaits at Disney World for a week off so they can spend more time with each other. Jonnie is a fearsome firefighter that loves his family dearly. Susan, Jonnie's sweet wife, is always with Emily Jonnie's and Susan's beautiful daughter.

I was born into a First Responder family, both my parents were certified in different aspects of the job. My father was and still is an EMT, Paramedic, and the Fire Chief of our local fire department, and my mother was an EMT for ten years. Being born into this lifestyle I didn’t really view it any differently than other families. Around the age of 5, when 9/11 occurred, this changed. My father at the time worked for a company that contracted fire apparatus to the NYPD for 9/11 relief. Due to this he was called out to New York during 9/11 and our whole family relocated there for a few months. This was the first time in which I realized that my parents job is quite different from many others. Instead of running away from New York like many families

The need for help is always there at all hours of the day and night. A firefighter has to be able to shift from dead sleep and when the call comes through, he must be up, mentally prepared and completely focused on the job and performing it as expected, no matter what time of day, or how little sleep he has gotten. The average working conditions involves responding to residential areas to provide medical services, as this is the majority of the tasks of firefighters. According to the NFPA, 2 out of 3 calls a firefighter responds to are medical assist related calls. Firefighting has a large number of dangerous aspects in the job, as that is what the firefighters know and acknowledge when entering this field. There may times that become unpleasant, but when the job is done, you feel an overwhelming sense of satisfaction knowing that it was you that made the difference in a humans life.

Danny was born on November 21, 1973, in Ottawa, KS. I asked Danny what his childhood was like, his response was, “My father was in the military, we moved around about every three years. We lived in Germany for three years, came back for three years, then went back to Germany. About 1982 - 1985 came back to Fort Sill, OK, and my father left the military.” “How did you feel about your father being in the military? I questioned. “Well, it was rough as first; we kinda got used to it. I mean, I’m glad that he did what he wanted to do, he wanted to help people.” Danny said, with a little smile. “I bet you were really proud of your father.” I said. He said, “I was.” We sat in silence for a few seconds.

I generally had a very active lifestyle. I did essentially everything a young child could dream of from baseball, football, riding dirt bikes, and building tree houses. I would get into anything and everything as a young boy, even into my early 20’s. Around the age of 16, I began to develop unexplainable back pain that would. I never considered anything of it since I worked at Turtles Moving Company in my extra time and was into a great deal of sports. When I was 17 I decided I wanted to become a firefighter. During my junior and senior years I went to Scarlet Oaks which is a vocational school. I attended classes and training for firefighting and ems. I landed a position directly after graduation. I have always had a physical was of life so having a physical demanding occupation would fit perfect into my life. After working with the fire department for some time I began to have more pain in my lower back and hips. After talking with multiple doctors, who all considered something different, my family doctor saw something in my x-rays. He then sent me to get more x-rays and tests. After a considerable measure of tests and hospital expenses, my doctor found out why I was having so much unexplainable torment. I had Ankylosing Spondylitis otherwise called A.S. for short. At this point when my doctor explained to me what A.S. was, I was lost. I did not realize what to do or where to seek help.

To start this night was very warm and I had a feeling in my gut that it was going to be a very busy night. So, I arrived at the Public Safety Building and Officer Champoli came and got me. He informed me that before we head out he had to finish up a DWI report from the night before. So while he typed up his report I saw what it was like to type up reports today for officers. Its all automated except for the narrative portion you just point and click and type in the information. He got a phone call from the Sargent and he told him that he was needed out on the road. While we were driving he told me about a crack addict he had arrested the night before and that she had multiple arrests on her record and had some stuff shoved up a certain area drugs should not be. At which point we got called over to Metlars for a suspicious

Before my mom sent me and my dad off to find help, she was on the phone with the roadside assistance which seemed like forever. All of a sudden we then realized the gas station wasn’t that far down the road, at least that is what we thought. We started to walk to the gas station, our foots sinking in the mud, the cold mud rises to our ankles. We immediately turn around knowing that this wasn’t the right decision. The gas station was longer than we thought, it was not even visible. Trudging back to the car we come to find my mom on speakerphone with the phone ringing. It goes straight to

I was bouncing up and down in my car seat my seat belt trying to keep a hold of me. I was so excited to finally get to go to six flags. As we pulled up to get into the parking lot, they wind rushed through my hair, I stuck my head out the window to get a better view of six flags. The rides going back in forth and the people eagerly waiting in line to get in. we pulled up to a parking. The car came to a stopped, everyone jolted forward and then back in their seats. I opened the door stepping out and letting the rest of the people come out. The door slammed behind me and echoed through the parking lot. We made our way getting closer and closer to the amusement park, my older cousins were walking behind me and the young ones who were running across the street playing, my uncle screamed at them to not play in the street.

May 30, 2015 it was a stormy night with thunder and lightning flashing all over my town. I had been a volunteer firefighter for the the past 4 year and had just completed my firefighter one course and I had a strange feeling that my fire department was going to get a call soon. At around 10:00 P.M. the call went out for Pawlet, West Pawlet, Rupert, Grandville and Dorset, (which was my department) for a working structure fire at Mach’s General Store caused by a lightning strike. My father was also on the departemt however he was captain and I was just a firefighter. I would always ride down to the station with him becuase it was easier for me. This was my first fire with my Firefighter one so I was pretty excited to go and I

This was my second year in the law enforcement program and I had the feeling that this was definitely something that I really wanted to do. My first year in law enforcement definitely caught my attention and I really had a desire to continue down the law enforcement path. I really looked forward to doing my job shadows. I knew that I would be able to go to a lot of different police agencies, different county's courthouse and even get to go to the different county’s jails which would really help me decide what I really wanted to do in law enforcement.

As a Correctional Officer for the State of Colorado, I am motivated and tempted every day to promote but do not currently have the degree to move further into my career. I would like to increase my knowledge and experience in my career through law enforcement, but the only way to guarantee that I excel with experience and education depends on my motivation into evolving a Bachelor’s degree. My plan is to follow through my ideas and turn them into my dream coming true. I lost track of education and motivation when I was at Colorado State University of Pueblo in 2010, not realizing what I was throwing away at the time. Knowing that I was incorrect and foolish to get rid of something that is critical in life has made me want to complete something that was broken and make it whole again.

Again like I said before I did my interview through email so I wasn’t able to get a face to face interview. I decided to interview Isaac because he's been a part of the fire station for almost 17 years now. I figured he would have more experience than people who have only been with the department for a couple of years. Isaac has been a good family friend and has always been there for my dad and my mom. Last year at this point in time my dad cheated on my mom. I guess you could say my family had a rough holiday season. Nothing was easy and my mom, sister, and I had to go through it alone. Thankfully, Isaac was there for my mom when she needed guidance and there was only so much me and my sister could do for her. Isaac really helped my family