As a child, like most young boys, I loved fire trucks. I couldn't get enough of them. Of course as I matured, this phase faded into the recesses of my mind. Upon my completion of high school and as I began to think about college and my future, to be honest, fire fighting was not a real consideration.
It was not until I had completed my bachelor's in architecture at the University of Colorado and my short stint as a professional football player in the NFL that I remembered what apparently I had always known, that I wanted to be a firefighter. From that point the story is a simple one. I began to talk to friends and other firefighters, research the profession and look for opportunities. Mine came in shortly thereafter in Vail, Colorado. I joined their resident firefighter program, moved into the fire station and began learning first hand what it really meant to work in the fire service.
Needless to say it was hard work, but I loved it. Eight months after I joined the resident program at Vail, a job opening came up at the department. I applied, was offered the position and have been there ever since. Fire fighting as a profession challenges my life in so many ways. Emotionally, physically, intellectually, and socially, it keeps me in balance with myself and lends an invaluable perspective to life in general.
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