Whenever firefighters get together, the conversation often turns to two topics (especially in this season of reflection): “How did you get started in the fire service,” and "Who are your influences?”
Well, I’ll tell you my story. Back in the day (circa 1988), I worked for a major maintenance/completion facility for helicopters. One of the aircraft we were completing for EMS service was for the University of Tennessee (UT). UT’s chief mechanic Les Lougheed and I went to lunch one day. Les asked about the fire service where I lived, and I told him I had no idea. He encouraged me to find out and see what I could do to support them. Coincidentally, when I got home later that day, I found a letter from the Rendon (TX) VFD requesting manpower or money. My roommate and I went down to the station to check it out and signed up that day.
As far as influences, aside from the usual suspects (Bruno, Vincent Dunn, Frank Brannigan, Paul Shapiro, Larry Stevens, Larry Davis and too many others to list), the local guys have been instrumental in showing me what’s what. At Rendon, Chief John Watson was, for lack of a better term, my big brother. He looked out for me and showed me the ropes. When I talk to him today, he still says he taught me everything I know. And to an extent, he’s right. He gave me a solid foundation in the basics of the things we do (fire, rescue hazmat, EMS) to build on.
I left the Rendon VFD back in the early 90’s and moved to Granbury, TX. I joined the Granbury VFD, where I still volunteer today. Here, Capt. Homer Robertson continued (and continues) the education Watson started in Rendon. There are others among both departments (and many other departments) that I have learned from, but Watson and Homer are the main influences in my fire service education. I’m sure that each of you reading this can point to one or two (or more) local people who influenced you.
I don’t get to see Watson much anymore; maybe once a year or so at a trade show. To be honest, I miss the guy. He watches over another friend of mine these days at his career department. I do get to see Homer quite a bit as he still volunteers with us at Granbury. Homer is a good friend and mentor, and just about every time we converse, I learn something new.
A few months ago, I had the pleasure of dining with Steve Kidd, and this very topic came up. When I mentioned Les’ (chief mechanic from the UT) name, Steve said, “I know Les.” As large as the fire service is, it's still a small world that we live in.
Have a happy New Year, and please make it a safe one.
