| He’s been with us since 2022 and currently supports our Recruitment & Retention efforts.
- What inspired you to become a volunteer firefighter?
My high school offered the Firefighter CTE program with SCFRD. My brother, who was currently in fire school in South Carolina, told me I should try it. I didn't want to and had no interest in it, but I tried it anyway. It was the best decision I've ever made.
- What was your first day as a volunteer like?
My first day as a volunteer in the station was odd. I was in fire school at the time and one of our instructors was also an officer at our station. He'd been pretty hard on me that week, more so than he usually was. He finally asked me what I was doing after school, and when I said I wasn't doing anything, told me to come ride the Engine with him. I was nervous but went anyway. We ran some good calls, had a good meal together, and trained. I fell in love with what I was learning and working toward. I started going every duty night with the same crew.
- What advice would you give someone thinking about volunteering?
If you're thinking about volunteering, just do it. The worst that happens is you realize it's not for you. The best that happens is you find out that you love it. I'm 21 years old, and thanks to the decision to start volunteering, I now have a career. I've overcome fears, learned things I never thought I could, and done things I never dreamed of. It's given me opportunities to become an EMT, and I'm currently finishing Paramedic school. And it's given me a second family, consisting of the most interesting bunch of people you'd ever meet. So yeah, if you're thinking about it, just dive right in and see what happens. |
