The aspect of helping is huge of course, but my inspiration to become a firefighter comes from my wife and my kids. They have always supported me and what I do, because they understand the value of giving as much as you can for others. Also, I want them to be safe, so I am driven to learn ways to keep them that way.
It's in the blood. On my mom's side, it was my grandfather, who just passed away a week ago, 3 uncles, and 2 second cousins. On my dad's side, my dad. Now it's my little brother, an Lt. at our home town dept., and myself. Been doing it for almost 14 yrs. and wouldn't change a thing. My mom would cringe when she heard 3 pagers going off in the house and watch my dad, brother, and me leave to go on a run together but she knew our dad wouldn't let anything happen to us.