The Scratching Post sat down with Lieutenant Tony Rodkey, who serves the Countryside Fire District, to learn more about the upcoming Fire Cadets’ Spring session and his journey as a firefighter.
The Scratching Post: How does the fire cadets program align with the district’s goals?
Rodkey: It aligns with [D128’s goals by] helping recruit firefighters and paramedics, and it contributes to our mission of serving the public by exposing [the community] to what fire, emergency, medical, and rescue services do.
TSP: How can every student benefit from the fire cadets program?
Rodkey: Whether you’re going to college or not, this exposes [students] to a broad range of fields, whether it’s labor intensive, like firefighting, or paramedical. [Students] can benefit from being exposed to these different avenues beyond high school which don’t [necessarily] require a college degree.
TSP: What are some valuable experiences students can get from the program?
Rodkey: We certified everybody in CPR [last Spring], so they got a life saving skill and a certification they could take with them to get another part time job, whether it’s life guarding or babysitting, which require it. [The cadets learned about] the chemistry of fire, [acquiring then some] information on how to control fires and how to use a fire extinguisher. These are some real life saving skills that a lot of people don’t have.
TSP: How are fire cadets involved with the community?
Rodkey: We had a function at the firehouse called barbecue at the fire station. It was from five to seven, and the fire cadets served the food. There was also an open house, and they helped serve the fire district and the community by handing out fire safety information and helping entertain the kids.
TSP: Why did you go into firefighting?
Rodkey: In a nutshell, I wanted to meet some good people. I had some background in CPR, so when I bought my first house in Wonder Lake, I went over to the [local] fire department and [asked if they could use my help], and they said ‘we sure can!’ They sent me to Emergency Medical Technical training, firefighting, then paramedic training. I saw the opportunities that were in the firefighting service then pursued it full time. At the time I was a salesman for Coca Cola, part time aquatics manager, a bartender, all at the same time I was becoming a firefighter paramedic.
TSP: What’s the importance of the firefighting profession?
Rodkey: For me, it’s about being involved in the community and helping with community risk reduction. Teaching kids and adults how to be safe and prevent fires from occurring.
TSP: What are the values that the firefighters at Countryside Fire District go by?
Rodkey: Respond, solve problems, and be nice. One of our chiefs coined [this quote].
TSP: Why should people become a Fire Cadet?
Rodkey: Because they’re going to have fun while learning about real life saving skills.
To read the experience of one of our reporters as a fire cadet, check out the column Pulling Up to the Fire Station!