So, a year ago I finished my MSEE at Purdue and wanted to do something to give back to the community. I decided to become a Volunteer Firefighter / Medic at our local firehouse.
I went through the training (Firefighter 1&2, Hazmat, NIMS, etc) that the state requires, as well as all of the requirements that the FD has for probationary members. I worked hard, volunteered for a lot of "special" details (funerals, hose testing, community events, etc), and took over managing their IT services. I am still (until January 4, 2012) a probationary member, so I didn't get any end of the year money for any of the points that I accumulated for performing work, attending training, or runs that I made. I was more than okay with that, I was just happy to be part of the team. I am not doing this for the money anyway.
Saturday was the HFD Christmas party. At the end of dinner there is an awards ceremony. The Chief started off the ceremony by having a patient who went into full arrest come in to present the life saver award to the crew that brought him back via defibrillation and CPR. I was not part of this run, I wish I was. It was an emotional moment for everyone as his wife was also there filming the entire thing, with tears in her eyes. This was more meaningful a moment than my HS, BSEE and MSEE graduation ceremonies combined.
At the end of the ceremony there is a award for "Member of the year" and I am deeply honored to be the recipient.
I went through the training (Firefighter 1&2, Hazmat, NIMS, etc) that the state requires, as well as all of the requirements that the FD has for probationary members. I worked hard, volunteered for a lot of "special" details (funerals, hose testing, community events, etc), and took over managing their IT services. I am still (until January 4, 2012) a probationary member, so I didn't get any end of the year money for any of the points that I accumulated for performing work, attending training, or runs that I made. I was more than okay with that, I was just happy to be part of the team. I am not doing this for the money anyway.
Saturday was the HFD Christmas party. At the end of dinner there is an awards ceremony. The Chief started off the ceremony by having a patient who went into full arrest come in to present the life saver award to the crew that brought him back via defibrillation and CPR. I was not part of this run, I wish I was. It was an emotional moment for everyone as his wife was also there filming the entire thing, with tears in her eyes. This was more meaningful a moment than my HS, BSEE and MSEE graduation ceremonies combined.
At the end of the ceremony there is a award for "Member of the year" and I am deeply honored to be the recipient.
