The Post-Standard (Syracuse, New York)
Copyright 2006 Post-Standard
All Rights Reserved
Paul Czarnecki is the new chief of the Elbridge Fire Department. He spoke with staff writer Diana LaMattina.
Name: Paul Czarnecki
Age: 45
Address: South Street, Elbridge.
Here’s how I describe my neighborhood: A quiet little bedroom community
I’ve lived there: almost 20 years now.
I’m originally from: Long Island.
Occupation: An RN at University Hospital in the PEDS ED
Why I chose to belong to the fire department: I wanted to give back to my community. After moving here, we’ve called on their services a few times. One day I just decided to see what they were about. I asked my wife, Holly, what she thought and she said, “Go ahead.”
The best part of being chief is: having the support of the people in the department and community.
The worst part of being chief is: It’s a large responsibility and takes a lot of time from other parts of our lives. What some people may not realize is that it’s 100 percent volunteer, 100 percent of the time; none of us are paid here.
Best part of fire training: Working with a great bunch of people, learning, teaching and having fun with them
Best part of being a firefighter: Seeing people’s faces and hearing a sincere thank you when things go right
My spouse and children: My wife, Holly; son, Kyle, 20, also a firefighter; daughters, Katrina, 17, and Kaitlin, 15.
My hobbies: My family, my home, my friends, shooting and fire/rescue/EMS
My favorite food: It’s a toss-up between a good eggplant Parmesan or a candied ham.
The food I despise: Macaroni and cheese. It’s a long story.
My idea of a great night: No squad, no calls, no work, going out with my family and everybody getting along
If I could invite four people to dinner (living or dead), they would be: Well, four’s not enough. I’m part Italian, so set a few more places: my father, my father-in-law and my grandparents, both sides.
And we would discuss: everything I learned about them after they died, and the things I was too young to know about while they were alive.
Excuse me if I brag about: my life. Every place I hang, I’m surrounded by wonderful people.
The worst job I ever had: was steam cleaning the inside of a sewer-sucker tank truck so we could go inside to weld it, then going inside to weld it.
My dream vacation would be: About a year long, or until I got bored, whichever comes first.
The best vacation I ever took: Cancun last April. We had an excellent time.
If I won the lottery, I would: take that yearlong vacation.
My favorite place for a cup of coffee: Home
The persons I most admire: The people around me that put up with me the most
My favorite phrase: If it was easy, everyone would do it.