Job Talk: July's Story

Hero Stories, First Responder Memories, Highlights, Station Jab, Motivation Talk, Inspirational Accounts From You! Submittals from First Responders, Family Members or Friends that Share Real Life Stories. Submit Your Story HERE

Submitted by Fire Chief Dennis P.

I had been in the Fire Service for 20+ years and was approached by a high school teacher to talk to some of her students on career day. I was a Deputy Chief at the time but she knew me from the past and knew that I had spent many years assigned to a Fire Prevention team that visited our local schools every year during Fire Prevention Week.

While talking to the group of high school kids they asked, "Would you be able to share some of the stories/incidents you responded to, and what you experienced as a Firefighter?" I figured, these were older teens (young adults) and could fathom the types of incidents FF's respond to.

So, I shared some of my experiences. Stories of fear, death, vehicle wrecks, innocent children taken so young, injuries, being trapped in structures, etc. After talking to them for 30- 40 minutes they thanked me and left. One young female student stayed behind, notebook at her chest, eyes wide open. I asked her if she was okay. She looked at me, her eyes welled up with tears and stated: "... Chief ... What's it like to be a Hero?" I thought about the series Band of Brothers and responded, "I'm not a hero sweetie... but you know what, I sure worked with some."

Short Bio: Hired into local City Fire Department in New Mexico in 1981. Retired as a Lieutenant. Hired at one of the NASA FD's as a Deputy Chief, and am currently the Fire Chief of our Facility. 43 years in the Fire Service and still going...