Firefighter Friday - Ryan Hudson

Happy Firefighter Friday!  Hope everyone will take a moment to read about our Firefighter today, Ryan Hudson.  I am sure he'd tell you you be careful out on the roads today!  It looks like we are in for a rainy weekend.  Ok, on to Ryan's answers!  Ryan is one of our Volunteer Firefighters and has been with us since 2008.  Ryan also is a recent star in a LFD film that we will be releasing soon and his picture is from that day!

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

There is something that is very rewarding about being there for someone and having the opportunity to help them on what could potentially be the worst day of their life.

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

Leander is a trendsetter when it comes to the amount of quality training as well as its involvement with the community and the fire service as a whole.  I am very fortunate to be a part of that. We are viewed upon by other organizations in the fire service as setting the standard for both training and customer service.

3.    What’s the funniest thing that has happened at your job?

What happens at the firehouse stays at the firehouse!

4.    What’s your favorite food?

I love Mexican food, but if I was limited to one meal I would have to say I'm pretty partial to a plain old bologna and cheese sandwich.

5.    What are your hobbies?

Coaching baseball and football, going to the shooting range, learning traditional crafts like woodworking, metallurgy, and various others.

6.    What’s something about you citizens might find unusual or interesting?

I did competitive shooting when I was younger.

7.       If you were on an island and could only bring 3 things, what would you bring?

My wife and kids and a genie in a bottle.

8. If you were a box of cereal, what would you be and why?

Kellogg's S'mores…….. Because, who doesn't love s'mores????????

9. If you could sing one song on American Idol, what would it be? Thunderstruck by AC/DC…..That song just gets me jazzed up!!!!!!

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

Costa Rica…. I was fortunate enough to spend 17 days there on my honeymoon. The people are very friendly. The countryside is endearing and the coffee is out of this world. We were able to stay in several different locations while there which afforded us the opportunity to do many things such as zip lining, white water rapids, hiking and see an abundance of wildlife in their natural habitat.

11. Who is your role model and why?

My father….. He taught me morals, ethics and life long lessons that have stuck with me throughout my life. He has always put his family first and has always done what it took to make sure we were provided for. He taught me “You never go wrong by doing the right thing”.

12.  If Hollywood made a movie about your life, whom would you like to see play the lead role?

I'm thinking Bruce Willis would be a close fit although he would probably have to pack on a few pounds for the role.

13. Where would you go in a Time Machine?

Back to last Wednesday with the winning lotto numbers in hand to get my ticket!

14. Pepsi or Coke?

Dr. B gotta save it where you can!

Ladder Maneuvers at Academy

COOL Week in Review

LFD had the opportunity to participate in LISD's COOL Week this year and we made it into their video promoting the program!  LFD had a great time with our COOL Week students from Rouse. Look for LFD in their video!




https://mediaspace.leanderisd.org/media/t/0_e52h78pu

Birthday Mission Accomplished

Did you know we host birthdays while sharing valuable safety info?

And rogue balloon at the party?  Apparently we got that covered too. 

It's Time Change Weekend

Firefighter Friday - Lt. Joe Mayberry

It's Firefighter Friday!  Good Morning Lt. Joe Mayberry!

Joe has been a Career Firefighter for 7 ½ Years for the City Of Leander. I'll let Joe tell you a little about himself.  He went out of his way to answer the questions a little differently.  Read to the end and you even get a recipe!

From Lt. Mayberry:

I wanted to become a firefighter, because I witnessed first hand the impact that they had on the community. My grandfather was very sick towards the end of his life, but he always spoke kindly of the care he received from the firefighters. I also had quite a few friends who became firefighters before me and they absolutely loved what they were doing. Those factors along with a few others played a primary role while choosing a career.

The best thing about being a Leander firefighter is the fact that I don’t know what the day will consist of. I generally have an idea of the duties that need to be completed, but it’s all subject to change. One minute you are assisting with the citizen’s medical needs and the next you are running into a structure fire. No two days are the same. The next reason and probably the most important is the brotherhood. We may argue with one another from time to time and not agree on all facets of life, but when faced with adversity we ALWAYS stand up for one another. We would all risk our lives for each other in an instance, without notice. That’s a special trait and not one typically seen in a job.

My hobbies consist of anything that requires competition. I prefer an activity that clearly defines a winner and a loser. I played baseball and football through high school, followed by 3 years of semi pro football. I've always enjoyed bow hunting and fishing.  I am currently active in Crossfit (LVL 1 coach at Mortal Crossfit in Georgetown) and the Scott Firefighter Combat Challenge. Our Challenge Team is currently sitting 6th in the Nation. Leander FFCC Team is annually competing in the World Finals.

I take so much from  our wins, but even more from our losses. The work required for both results is typically the same, but how you handle defeat often paves the way for your future achievements.  That outlook can be used in all walks of life. Do you shut down in the face of adversity or do you learn from it and come back even stronger?

Favorite quote: “Do not pray for easy lives. Pray to be stronger men.” John F. Kennedy

I’ll end on a lighter note:

My favorite food is any cheat meal, but if I’m throwing caution to the wind I make the guys the Round Rock Burger.  Here's the recipe:

1 Round Rock Donut- (split in half and pan fried in butter for 30 seconds)
Hamburger, cheese and bacon, The bread is your donut…. You're welcome!

Thanks Joe for being our Firefighter of the Week!

Instagram!

https://instagram.com/leanderfiredepartment/

Stay Warm, Stay Safe

With the expected freezing temperatures approaching, LFD would like to take this opportunity to remind everyone to use caution when heating your homes.

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), half of all home-heating fires occur during the winter months. NFPA research shows that during 2011 home heating equipment was involved in more than 53,600 reported U.S. home structure fires, with associated loss of more than 400 civilian deaths, more than 1,520 civilian injuries and roughly $893 million in direct property damage.

Keep Warm, Keep Safe.

Please visit http://www.leandertx.gov/fire/page/safety-information for more additional information and safety tips.

Firefighter of the Week is Sean Thomas

It's your favorite day of the week! Firefighter Friday! That's true, right? Today we are introducing you to one of our Volunteer Firefighters, Sean Thomas. He's been a volunteer at LFD since 2012. Now for some questions.

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

I always wanted to help people and serve the community.

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

Being able to serve the community I live in.

3. What’s your favorite food?

Steak

4. What are your hobbies?

Hunting and fishing

5. What’s something about you citizens might find unusual or interesting?

I will never be taller than 5' 5"

6. If you were on an island and could only bring 3 things, what would you bring?

Bear Grylls, a ship, and enough fuel to get home

7. If you were a box of cereal, what would you be and why?

Lucky Charms. I have no luck, I need all the help I can get.

8. Who is your role model and why?

The people I work with are my role models. They have succeeded in doing the things I wish to do in life.

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

milk, bacon, eggs, chicken, sweet tea

10. If Hollywood made a movie about your life, whom would you like to see play the lead role?

Someone short

11. Pepsi or Coke?

Coke

12. If you could invite 3 famous people to dinner, who would they be?

John Wayne, Johnny Cash, John Dillinger

Thanks Sean! Have a great day!

How Many Students has Our Education Team Seen this Year?!

Did you know our School Education team has visited with over 2800 students at 6 different schools in Leander this school year? Today, they added one more to that list. LFD was at Winkley Elementary with their Fire Safety Presentation. We decided to record an interview with Driver/Pump Operator Jeff Foster and Lt. Ty Wade about the program, how it works and the positive changes that have been made this year and we are sharing a screen shot of that. As DPO Foster said in the interview, one of the great things about educating kids in the schools is that we are not only sharing information with these kids, but with their families too because the kids remember it all and go home and share it! This is a program I know DPO Foster and Lt. Wade are proud of and probably already have new ideas for the years to come. Thanks to all of the schools for having us come out this school year!

Live Oak Moms Filled the Station!

A group from the Live Oak Mom's group was at Station 2 today and they got an uninterrupted tour with C-Shift. We had to take another picture because it was such a nice big group. Thanks for coming out! If you have a group that is interested in a station tour please visit our website and complete the online form:http://www.leandertx.gov/fire/page/fire-station-tours This is a working station so our calls can be unexpected, but we do enjoy having visitors of all ages. It's important to us that our young guests aren't scared of Firefighters too, so inviting groups into our "home away from home" at planned events is another way we are able to interact with kids in our community.

Education Team is Out Again!

LFD has an education team out at one of our elementary schools again today. Today we are at Parkside. During the presentation some grade levels have the opportunity to discuss "Exit Drills In The Home," also known as "EDITH." In these pictures students are drawing a house floor plan and talking with firefighters about their exit strategy. Thanks to the Parkiside Mustangs for welcoming LFD today!

Firefighter of the Week - Robert Acosta

It's Firefighter Friday once more! Good Morning to Robert Acosta! Firefighter Acosta has been a Firefighter with us for 6 months! You may remember him as we introduced him to you on Facebook this summer when he started here at LFD!

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

I had family in the service who loved it and I couldn't see working in an office.

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

The job is always evolving, always something new to see and learn and I have an awesome crew to work with.

3. What’s the funniest thing that has happened at your job?

Seeing the disappointed faces of co-workers as the Cowboys steamrolled through the season.

4. What’s your favorite food?

Mexican

5. What are your hobbies?

Football and fishing

6. What’s something about you citizens might find unusual or interesting?

I prefer wheat to white bread

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

Cabo to go fishing

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

TV Remote

9. Where would you go in a Time Machine?

1995

10. Pepsi or Coke?

Coke!!! (And I think we all know his more specific answer is Diet Coke!)

11. If you could invite 3 famous people to dinner, who would they be?

Tony Romo, Dez Bryant, and the ref from the Cowboys/Packers game.

Have a great Friday Acosta!

Triple Training!

It was a beautiful day to be at LFD! We had 3 different groups doing training today: CPR, Fire Academy, and our Firefighters doing routine Saturday training. We are fortunate to have a facility that can handle us all being there learning at once.

Firefighter of the Week - Ben Cousins!

Happy Firefighter Friday! And today our Firefighter of the week is Lt. Ben Cousins. I think it's important to point out that when we take a picture of Ben we never know what we are going to get. This was the requested pose of the day. And let's see if we learn anything new about Ben during the question portion.

1. * What’s your name and position? Lt. Ben Cousins

2. *How long have you been with LFD and in what capacity?

Part-time 2001-2007 and full-time since 2007

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

I wanted to be a Firefighter for as long as I can remember.

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

The People.

5. What’s the funniest thing that has happened at your job?

They put me in charge of a big red truck!

6. What’s your favorite food?

Food with legs.

7. What are your hobbies?

Hunting and fishing.

8. What’s something about you citizens might find unusual or interesting?

I love kittens.

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

"Shake is Off" by Taylor Swift

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

Eggs and protein.

11. If Hollywood made a movie about your life, whom would you like to see play the lead role?

Dolph Lundgren

12. Where would you go in a Time Machine?

October 27, 1823

Thanks for being our Firefighter of the week Ben! Congrats!

Firefighter for a Day!

Congrats to our biggest class of Firefighter for a Day participants! Excellent job! This is only a few of the pictures from the day. We will be sure to get you access to the rest next week. We had an amazing time showing you a little bit of what we do at LFD. We hope you gained some knowledge and talk about it with your friends! And don't forget you can volunteer to keep your connection with us and you will no doubt continue to experience and learn new things with LFD.