6 Years On The Job

Today marks 6 years since I completed rookie school with the Sumter Fire Department and embarked on one of the greatest ventures of my life. On October 26, 2006 I received my certificate of completion for rookie school and raised my right hand to be sworn into the fire service. I look back, and it is hard to believe that it has been that long. It seems like it was just yesterday. Like the military, it did not take very long for me to figure out that it was indeed a calling for me, and now that I've been doing it for this long I cannot imagine myself not doing it. Lord knows it was very frustrating for the last 6 months to be off the job while recovering from shoulder surgery.

Me learning how to put up ladders.

A big part of my love for this job comes from the Brotherhood that exists within the fire service. No matter where I go in this country, wherever I find a firehouse it feels like home. Check out my post, Virginia Visit Recap from earlier this year for an example of what this Brotherhood means. My two Brothers from Roanoke that are mentioned in the post, Rhett Fleitz and Willie Wines, Jr have written extensively on the Brotherhood and I definitely recommend checking out their sites. The fire service practically became my second family overnight. From my brothers at Station 13 in Sumter, SC, to my new family in Odenton, it continues to be that way. In fact, I find no more fitting way to celebrate my 7 years of service, than to be on shift tonight with my crew at the Two-Eight.

I absolutely love doing this job, and feel fortunate to be able to. While the adrenaline rush is still there somewhat, this job for me is about helping the public and being there for the guy or girl next to me. Lord-willing, I hope to continue doing this for a long time, whether I stay a volunteer or get paid for it after the Air Force. It has been a great 6 years and I look forward to what the next 6 years will bring.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Me after completing the final certification burn for the basic firefighter course.