This is a note I posted on facebook after I was asked why I chose to be a firefighter.

I've thought a lot lately about how much I love firefighting and what a great decision it was to join the service. Sure, there is the great adreneline rush; The high I get from it is something I cannot describe. I've also made a lot of great friends from mine and other departments, people with similar attitudes and who won't hesitate for a second to help out their brothers and sisters if they need it. Most of all, helping people when they need you, is probably the most rewarding part of what I do.

I remember a few years ago, when I decided for sure that I wanted to be a cop(which I still do). It was around that time that the movie Ladder 49 came out. I remember watching what happens to Jack Morrison and the other firefighters and saying to myself "that's why I am going to be a cop, and not a firefighter" It would take the near death experience of four of my good freinds to change my mind.

It was late June 2007. School was out, everyone was graduated and having parties. I was at one party in peticular, just chillin. Well, I guess half the people at the party got bored, so they all took off in a truck to go have some fun. I, with the remaining people at the party, decided that we were bored too, and we all got into my car, and headed into town to find the others. We parked on main street and that's when we heard the siren blow. We didn't think much of it at the time..but decided that we were going to see what the emergency was, being bored and all. We started to follow a firefighter in his personal vehicle with his bluelight running. Soon we saw more and more people responding. That's when I thought to myself "hey, that's actually pretty cool."

Eventually, we lost the bluelight, and decided to head back to the party. It was pretty dark by that time, and when we pulled up, I remember seeing Kirk's family, standing in the driveway with the telephone. She told us that JC, one of the people in the truck, had called their house and said they had been in an accident. I immediatly called JC on his cell, and asked him what had happened. He replied: "We crashed." I asked him if everyone was ok, and he said everyone was fine, but Brett had a few minor injuries. He said they had a ride home so I didnt have to go get them.

I'll never forget how useless I felt at that moment. I wanted to help my freinds; they were in trouble. But what could I do? Nothing. I went home that night and thought. What if none of them had been wearing their seatbelts? The car was totalled. It could have been a very different story. Most of all, I couldn't shake that urge to help...to do anything. I believe every person should do someting really important at some time in their lives, and I decided that my time was now. I told my mom the next day that I was going to join the Fire Department. She was happy to hear it. She and my step-dad were in the department back in the 90's. In fact, my Step-father was Cheif for 2 years. So I guess that makes me a second generation firefighter.

That fall, I was sworn in as a firefighter, to preserve life and property. I have learned a lot since then. I have trained a lot, and continue to do so. I have seen quite a few calls, some have been very bad. They stick with you a little bit. But I feel it's my duty to help people when they can't help themselves. A lot of people use the word "Hero" when describing firefighters, but really I think its a strong word to use. Sorry if that sounds cliche. Don't get me wrong; It takes a great deal of bravery, but I do it because someone has to do it, and to keep that useless feeling away. I like helping people. It's a lot of fun as well. If you read this whole thing, thanks. I got bored I guess. Feel free to comment, and remember, pull over when you see the blue lights!