CRAMERTON, N.C. — An 18-year-old volunteer firefighter recently earned his department’s Firefighter of the Year award.
WBT.com reported that Luke Karagias already has 500 hours and three certifications under his belt, including firefighter 1 and 2 and EMT. He’s been volunteering with the Cramerton Fire Department for two years.
“I’ve just always been determined on being a fireman since I was little,” Karagias said. “And really I just never stopped wanting it.”
On top of wrestling for his high school, attending class and working on his certifications, he spent almost every night at the fire department during his senior year.
“I didn’t want to miss any calls,” he said.
Karagias has applied for positions with the Gastonia and Charlotte Fire Departments while working toward his undergraduate degree.