By Toya Graham
The Herald (Rock Hill, S.C.)
Copyright 2006 McClatchy Newspapers Inc.
All Rights Reserved
ROCK HILL, S.C. - Michael “Big” Scott didn’t dash into a burning house to pull out a terrified toddler. The Rock Hill fireman didn’t rescue a trapped motorist from a car engulfed in flames, nor did he free a cat caught in high tree limbs.
But Scott’s colleagues say his willingness to volunteer for time-consuming, job-related tasks makes him a hero. For that, he was recently named Rock Hill firefighter of the year.
“It’s an honor,” said Scott, a 31-year-old who’s fought fires and assisted with other emergencies for about seven years with the Rock Hill Fire Department. “There’s 106 firefighters in our department. To be chosen as firefighter of the year is just a privilege.”
Along with the honor for Scott, David Coates was recognized as Rock Hill fire officer of the year.
Since 2000, Scott has logged more than 800 hours as a lead instructor for the recruit programs. So far this year, the full-time firefighter has dedicated 144 hours to teaching recruits.
Scott, who also works part time with EMS, recalled training he received from previous instructors.
“Whether their impact was good or bad, I remember what they gave me,” Scott said. “I want to pass the knowledge to our recruits.”
Scott, one of more than 10 recruit instructors, also volunteers his time to perform annual service checks on city fire trucks. The city of Rock Hill is home to eight trucks, with one more on the way. Completing service checks on eight fire truck pumps - the part where water comes into the truck and pressure is applied before pushing the water out to hoses to battle fires - can take up 15 hours, Scott said.
“I do them all in one day,” said Scott, who has performed service checks for the past six years. “It’s time consuming.”
Still, the former Newport Fire Department volunteer firefighter of 10 years continues to dole out his time.
“That’s just who I am,” Scott said as a blush covered his face. “My grandfather, father and mother taught me to do what’s right and not worry about the pay.”
Chief Mike Blackmon admires Scott’s volunteering spirit.
“He constantly volunteers,” Blackmon said. “That’s what makes him stand out.”
Scott started fighting fires full time in 1999 under the leadership of former Battalion Chief Jerry Gardner, who used to complete the annual pump service checks. Scott went along to assist until Gardner retired.
“I just took over what he was doing,” Scott said.
He’s just as intense about recruit training sessions, which meet from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. Recruit training ranges from first aid and CPR to basic firefighting, equipment training and rescue procedures.
“We go into a house with two firefighters,” Scott said. “If it (fighting the fire) goes bad, we need to know what to do to not only get ourselves out, but also to get our partner out.”
Scott, a burly man with a ready smile, shies away from accolades and slaps on the shoulder. He contends he’s just doing his job. Yet, Scott’s wife, Terri, contends Scott is worthy of the honor.
“He’s dedicated to his job,” Terri Scott said. “He likes to help people.”
Shawn Craig works with Scott at Station 5, affectionately known as the “island of misfits,” because the Springdale Road firefighters rarely get to put out a fire.
“Everybody strives to be like him,” Craig said about Scott. “He does a lot for the fire department.”
For Scott, perhaps the biggest reward isn’t the firefighter of the year - it’s achieving a little boy’s dream.
“I wanted to be a fireman ever since I saw the first fire truck,” he said. “Now, I get to be a fireman every day.”