Firefighter Friday - Chuck Garrison

TGIFF!  Thank Goodness It's Firefighter Friday!  Today we want to introduce you to one of our Battalion Chiefs, Chuck Garrison.  Chief Garrison has been with LFD 12 years, 5 as a volunteer and 7 paid.  Now, let's get some answers!

1) *What made you want to be a firefighter?
a) I enjoy serving our community and country.  My father and two of my uncles gave me wise counsel early in my life that it was important to serve in these areas.
2) *What’s the best thing about being a firefighter at LFD?
a) The best thing about our job here at LFD is the sense of teamwork and comradery on the floor.  The men and women serving are dedicated and committed to their co-workers, the city, and its customers.
3) What’s your favorite food?
a) Mexican with Chips and Queso!
4) What are your hobbies?
a) I enjoy spending time outdoors with my family and dogs. I enjoy rappelling, swimming, archery, shooting, martial arts.
5) What’s something about you citizens might find unusual or interesting?
a) I am a “closet prepper.”  Years ago when our budget did not allow for additional equipment for possible disaster deployments I began personally collecting items in the event that I would have to deploy (hurricane, tornado, flooding event, etc.)  Since then, I have continued to collect equipment, supplies, and materials that now end up in my “Go Bag.”  The problem now is that the bag needs to be hauled by a separate trailer!
6) If you were on an island and could only bring 3 things, what would you bring?
a) My Go Bag!  That counts as one right?  Number two would be my bride of 20+ years, and third, my Bible.
7) If you could recommend one place for people to go on vacation where would it be and why?
a) Singapore is on my (return to) bucket list.  I spent some time there while serving in the military several years ago and would love to go back.  Singapore is so many different cultures combined into one area.  The food, architecture, people and scenery is second to none. If anyone has the opportunity to go to Malaysia, they would enjoy this destination.
8) Who is your role model and why?
a) I have a number of men that have mentored and helped guide me while growing up.  Each of these men serve as my role model(s).  It has been a lost art for men to come along side another to bolster and encourage.  I often reflect and have always appreciated those who had shared their wisdom and experience to strengthen me in the area of my family, faith, and work.
9) What would I find in your refrigerator right now?
a) Too many carbs!  Lots of Blue Bell!
10) Pepsi or Coke?
a) Diet Coke!

Firefighter Friday - David Hashem

TGIFF!! Thank Goodness It's Firefighter Friday! Today we want to introduce you to David Hashem who happens to be in Tyler, Texas this weekend competing with the Leander Fire Combat Challenge Team. David is a Firefighter/EMT, and has been with LFD about 6 months as a paid Firefighter. Say "Hey" to Firefighter David and let's hear what he has to say:

1. *What made you want to be a firefighter?
I’ve always had a passion to make peoples day better since I was a child and wanted a career that allowed me to do that every time I came to work. I enjoy the challenges both physically and mentally that we come across.
2. *What’s the best thing about being a firefighter at LFD?
That everyone I work with is passionate, professional, and dedicated to the job.
3. What’s the funniest thing that has happened at your job?
Just the day to day conversations we have. It's hard to breath sometimes you're laughing so hard.
4. What’s your favorite food?
Spaghetti and garlic bread.
5. What are your hobbies?
Being active outside, working out, spending time with friends and family.
6. If you were a box of cereal, what would you be and why?
Cheerios, I’m a cheerful person!
7. If you could sing one song on American Idol, what would it be?
Helluva life by Frankie Ballard.
8. Who is your role model and why?
My father. He always had a reason to be thankful and positive even when times were tough for him.
9. What would I find in your refrigerator right now?
A bunch of leftovers that should have been thrown away a long time ago.
10. If Hollywood made a movie about your life, whom would you like to see play the lead role?
Steve Cook
11. Where would you go in a Time Machine?
Back to the gladiator times.

Firefighter Friday - Wes Fitzsimmons

Firefighter Friday!!! Today we have a Volunteer Firefighter which is appropriate since tomorrow is our Fall Fun Festival which gets a lot of support from our Volunteers! Wes Fitzsimmons is a Driver/pump operator in the Training department. He's been with LFD for over 10 years.

1. *What made you want to be a firefighter?
Two things really. I sit at a desk in my job and wanted to do something physically challenging in my free time. The other reason is I feel I need to give back to the community. This is one of the most rewarding ways to do that.
2. *What’s the best thing about being a firefighter at LFD?
I started out off the street at 39 and learned everything from basic fire fighting, to a DPO with an EMT B certificate. I also learned about having a second family.
3. What’s your favorite food?
Anything spicy!
4. What’s something about you citizens might find unusual or interesting?
That I find being of service the most rewarding part of life.
5. If you could recommend one place for people to go on vacation where would it be and why?
Irish horse back tour of the old castles. Because a week of horses and castles on and off the beaten trail sounds incredible!
6. Who is your role model and why?
No one person, we're all human and have good and bad actions at times.
7. Pepsi or Coke?
Coke

Firefighter Friday - Meet Scot Karr

This is Driver/Pump Operator Scot Karr.  He's been with LFD for almost 5 years.  The first 2 months were as a volunteer then we he was hired as a paid Firefighter.  Now to learn a little about Scot:

1.    *What made you want to be a firefighter?

A desire to help people, a desire for challenging and ever changing environment, and an extreme hated of office work

2.    *What’s the best thing about being a firefighter at LFD?

The opportunity to be part of a great community.

3.    What’s your favorite food?

Tuna fish package

4. If you could sing one song on American Idol, what would it be?

I wouldn’t. I don’t sing

5. If you could recommend one place for people to go on vacation where would it be and why?

Tahiti, it was cool

6. What would I find in your refrigerator right now?

Empty space

7. Pepsi or Coke?

Dr. Pepper

Lucky Duck

Today our Firefighters gave the children at Zero Gravity Preschool a tour of their truck. Who thinks the Lucky Ducky might have been a highlight for some pre-schoolers?

Fire Prevention Week is Here!

Did you know it was Fire Prevention Week?! At LFD we don't limit that to one week though! We will be at schools around town all month and into November too. Today our firefighters did safety presentations at Founders Classical Academy of Leander. And we all know fire prevention education is important all year right?

Firefighter Friday - Meet Kirke Phillips

It's Firefighter Friday!  Today we have Lt. Kirke Phillips. Kirke started in 2008 as a career staff DPO.  We have 2 pictures of Kirke today as he has a great one of him in his mask.  I've included another as well because we want you to know the faces of LFD!  Please give Kirke a big shout out today!  Now some questions:

1. *What’s the best thing about being a firefighter at LFD?  The future of the department and the City.  It’s a cool time to work here and watch all of the activity.
2. What’s the funniest thing that has happened at your job?  Genuinely funny things happen every day.  It would be hard to narrow it down to the single funniest thing.
3. What’s your favorite food?  Chicken Fried Steak.
4. What’s something about you citizens might find unusual or interesting?  I listen to really heavy “death metal” music really loud, and I always look mad or intimidating.  But I’m actually very nice, rarely serious, and thoroughly enjoy working a job where service to the community is the organizational tenet.
5. If you could recommend one place for people to go on vacation where would it be and why?  Minnesota!  It is a beautiful state and the folks are all very unique and unassuming.  The summers are great time to beat the Texas heat and be outdoors without bursting into flame.  The winters are crazy if you’re a life-long Texan.  “Cold” doesn’t even begin to describe it.
6. Who is your role model and why?  My mom and dad.  They have always provided a constant positive example and encouraged me to do the things that make me happy.  They have also been remarkably patient and understanding when I have made mistakes.
7. What would I find in your refrigerator right now?  Lots of coffee creamer (my wife and I both work shift work).
8. If Hollywood made a movie about your life, whom would you like to see play the lead role?  Nick Offerman
9. Pepsi or Coke?  Big Red
10. If you could invite 3 famous people to dinner, who would they be?  George Washington, Gar Wood, and Jimi Hendrix.

Coffee with the Neighbors

LFD can literally walk next door to have coffee with their neighbors!  

Thanks for having us Leander Police Department!