I have been asked many times in my career, “why do you want to be a firefighter?”. This goes back to September 11th, 2001 when I was 16. Through that horrible tragedy I got to witness what a true hero and humanitarian was. Watching hundreds of firefighters run towards certain death to save their fellow man from destruction. To me, there is no greater love. Since this event, I have worked hard through all sorts of roadblocks to be able to be here today searching for an opportunity to give back to my community. 

 

I have learned that being a firefighter, even as a volunteer, is a gift. Not too many people end up being cut out for the job. It takes a certain special someone to be able to live this life. You need to be selfless, caring, empathetic and brave. I believe that I possess all of these traits and that is what separates me from the rest of the pack that just wants to wear a cool outfit. I understand that with every call comes a person at their worst hour that needs a strong person to offer them a hand when they are down.