| He has been a member in the county since 2008, and with us since 2016. He also serves as part of our Recruitment & Retention Team and the Public Affairs Team.
- Why did you choose to volunteer with our fire department?
After years with Rockhill and Brooke, I started working with Co2 in 2014 while teaching at the Fire Academy. It was a humbling experience; despite my role as an instructor, I felt I was gaining just as much from the atmosphere here. I chose this department—and have stayed for over 10 years—because of the culture of accountability. We treat each other like family, but we train like we have everything to prove. Being part of a department that refuses to be stagnant is exactly what keeps me driven every single day.
- What’s your favorite part about serving the community?
While serving as a Navy Corpsman, I knew I wanted to continue that mission on a more personal, local level. My favorite part of serving this community is the humanity of the call. In the military, you serve a broad mission, but here, the impact is immediate and local. Whether we’re helping someone on their worst day or just connecting at a local event, the gratitude we receive is deeply moving. It’s a humbling reminder that the skills I’ve spent years building have a direct, positive effect on the people living right next door to me.
- What advice would you give someone thinking about volunteering?
The Academy is a rigorous journey, and finishing it is an achievement that speaks volumes about your work ethic. But the best advice I can give is to never let that sense of accomplishment turn into complacency. You are joining a small group of people who have stepped up to serve, which is a privilege. Use that feeling of success as fuel to stay sharp. The community doesn't need people who just passed the test; they need people who are driven to be at their best when someone else is having their worst day. |
