A FIREFIGHTER’S PERSPECTIVE
By Raquel Segovia
All of us have heard the loud sirens of a fire engine
and most of us have pulled over to let them by, but do
we really know what it takes to be a firefighter? We
probably have a general idea of what they do, but what
about who they really are?
I had the opportunity to observe the Pinole Fire
Department and speak to a few of the firefighters
there. Their stories, their lives, and their backgrounds
are different, but they all share some fundamental goals,
and those goals are to help people and save lives.
I spoke with one of the firefighters and asked him
to tell me his story. He was more than happy to share
his thoughts with me, and I could feel as he spoke
that he loves what he does! He began by telling me
that he did not start off thinking of the Fire Service,
but as he got older, he realized that being a firefighter
was his calling in life. He went to EMT School, the
Fire Academy, volunteered for a fire department, and
started as a Reserve in Pinole in 2001 and became a
full time firefighter/paramedic in 2008. He enjoyed
being a firefighter and it fascinated him! Each call
helped him to grow and renew his commitment to the
fire service.
He also gave me an overview of the Pinole Fire
Department. They service approximately 20,000
residents for the City of Pinole and an additional
10,000 people in unincorporated areas of Contra
Costa County. They run fire, ambulance and medical
calls with one (1) fire engine and a crew of eight (8)
firefighters, with two (2) new firefighters to begin
in mid March. They average 220 calls a month and
3,000 calls a year! They are also one of the busiest fire
stations in the entire County of Contra Costa.
I took a deep breath and tried to imagine what
it would be like to be in his shoes, and quickly
realized that it takes a very special person with a great
commitment and love for the job to go out at all
hours of the day and night to service our community!
When we ended, I had a deeper appreciation for
firefighters. The world has become so computerized
and electronic, but the public service industry still
needs people helping people! So next time when you
hear the siren of a fire engine close by, pull over and
wave to a great group of people who risk their lives
for you!