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What is the most rewarding part of your job as a
firefighter?
The most rewarding thing about being a firefighter is the lives you
change for the better and the lives we impact in a good way, even
though the outcome isn’t always good. I once responded to a call of
a man struggling to breathe, and he sadly passed away in my arms.
His wife came by the station during our next shift and dropped off
food. I told her that we didn’t deserve it because we didn’t save
him, and she explained that his condition was very unstable, and
even in the best of circumstances he probably would not have
made it. She was thanking us for the effort and heart we put into
what we do. So that is rewarding to me, even though we didn’t
save him she knew we had done our absolute best.
What are three things on your bucket list?
This is actually an easy one. Number one, I would like to marry
my wife again. I know it sounds crazy at first, but I would really
like to renew our vows in a ceremony and do our honeymoon all
over again. Number two and three are in the same area so I count
them as one and that is to complete a full Ironman and compete
in a CrossFit competition. Number three would be to skydive.
Who is someone you admire and why?
I wish this was an easy one but it’s not, so I’ll pick the one that is
still living, my stepdad. My dad passed back in 2009 and for the
longest time I didn’t know if my mom would find someone, but she
did. His name his Larry Phillips he is a Vietnam Veteran and a
carpenter but most of all he’s a dad that he really didn’t have to be.
I know it’s the title of a country song but it’s true. He has loved my
family unconditionally, as if we were his own. I was full grown and
married with kids when he came into our lives, but it’s been like
he’s always been there.
If you could give one piece of advice to a young person,
what would it be?
Be yourself and put God first in every part of your life. When we
stop putting God first and chasing after what the world tells us to,
we lose that special thing that makes us who we are. Before we
know it, we don’t recognize ourselves and we forget why we were
put here in the first place, because we’ve left God out. I can’t count
the blessings I’ve missed because of doing it the world’s way. But I
make it a point to put Him above all now and it has been a blessing
every day and I count it all as joy.
What is your favorite thing about Madison County?
The diversity of Madison County is what makes it so appealing
– there are people from all walks of life we run into on a daily
basis. They make Madison County what it is and I’m thankful
for that.
Hometown MADISON • 83