The First Responder Interview was an amazing experience, as I got to meet three incredible men and hear their stories. As my career goal now is to be a first responder, specifically in law enforcement, much of what they had to say is more meaningful to me now than it was then. What stood out to me most was how their answers all aligned, showing what qualities are essential in anyone who wants to work in these fields.

Daniel: Firefighter and paramedic. Works in LA, California.

What are the skills that made you who are you today?

-His number one skill/attribute is an honest work ethic, nothing will get done without it. He wasn’t raised with opportunities provided for him and has gained all he has through working hard all the time.
-As a first responder, compassion is important above all else. It’s strengthened through experiences in the field and struggles he’s seen in other people’s lives. Compassion will make your work ethic meaningful, so you don’t lose sight of the goal while you push toward success. Success doesn’t mean just having lots of money either; success is found in the relationships you form. A hermit on an island with a billion dollars is much less successful than a middle-class man who has dozens of meaningful relationships. You’ll be able to bring other people up with you if you have compassion. Empathy goes right along with that.
-Finally, teamwork is needed, along with constant studying to get better at what you do.

What’s something you’re working on in your personal/business life right now?

–Horsemanship is his favorite thing in the world, so he’s constantly working on getting better at it. It’s all he loves to do outside of being a first responder. It’s his downtime and grounding activity.

What would you want to see from someone who wanted/ended up working with you?

-His skill set must match Daniel’s own.
-Accountability is huge, own up when you make mistakes, not just when you do something right. Self-responsibility is imperative to keep a team together and strong.
-Don’t be entitled, you can’t serve others if you’re living for yourself, and serving others is the whole point of being a first responder.
-Be eager to learn about everything so you can be the best team member possible.
-Above all be HONEST. Trust is the most important thing when taking on dangerous activities. Be honest about your faults as well as what you’re good at. That’s what makes a strong team when they can trust each other at all times.

What separates first responders from other men?

–Remember, firefighters and paramedics differ from police in that they don’t enforce anything. They’re just there to make the situation better for those involved.
-When compared to “civilians”, those two branches are driven to push past their fears and rush into any situation, even if it is very dangerous. They go even further and get to the point where they forget the danger, heeding it not at all. They see dangerous situations as moments to help the weak. They run towards the problem to help those who are in peril. If there’s a shootout, they rush into the mess not because they have guns and can stop the bad guys but because they were told someone’s been shot. It’s a kind of selflessness that you won’t find in most people.

Would you recommend this line of work to a young leader like me?

-Daniel recommends true and honest research of the job instead of telling anyone what to do. See all the pros and cons and be well informed. Your mental health will be worn down, you’ll be working all the time, including holidays, and firefighters are often exposed to toxic materials in the air. There are risks, so take a good look. This applies to all other jobs, of course. However, if you have that servant’s heart and desire to help people, you can surpass all of that and be very fulfilled.

Key takeaways:

A servant’s heart is key. It keeps you going and will empower you to perform the best way you can. Work as a team and be honest in everything. Take this job after careful consideration.

Jason: EMS, Firefighter, Police in California. Worked with the DEA against the cartels.

What are the skills that made you who are you today?

Inquisitiveness, being a forever student and enjoying learning & education. You can never learn everything so keep expanding what you know. He’s persistent and isn’t easily deterred from what he believes in. He says you will always pursue what you want to do. Resilience and conquering fatigue have helped him get where he is today.

What’s something you’re working on in your personal/business life right now?

–He’s a private person, so he has to work on social development a lot. For most of his life, he hasn’t liked to share much about himself, which is why now he’s started a new journey. He wants to share his story and experiences with other first responders to help them get through the issues and battles that they face. (I was able to get these interviews at a similar event he was helping with.)

What would you want to see from someone who wanted/ended up working with you?

-They need a servant’s heart and willingness to do more than usual when they are serving others. He went through trials in his life and took on a victim’s mindset until he realized that those trials were learning opportunities that he could use to teach others. Serving yourself is completely ineffective to other people and will get you in more trouble than good.

What separates first responders from other men?

-It’s the servant’s heart. There are just some people that are hard-wired to serve others. Think about it this way: NBA players are physically built to excel in that sport and although they will have to practice and work at it, that’s their natural inclination. First responders are hard-wired to care for people. It’s a love and passion for humanity that enables them to do crazy and dangerous things.
-In addition, they love their country and the order within it. They love to work to save the people within it. They are empathetic by nature.
-Everyone has their specific spot where they fit best. Some with a servant’s heart will fit in best when they are doing the paperwork for the department, taking calls, or watching the desk. Everyone has their independent place but they must work together. The news often focuses on the top 1% of first responders who do all the crazy deeds, but they could do nothing without the other 99% who support them and keep them going. There’s a spectrum and it’s important to remember that.

Would you recommend this line of work to a young leader like me?

–Rather than telling anyone to do something, you need to learn about it yourself and be educated. The decision is ultimately yours to make. Jason would be more than happy to advise you or answer any questions you have, but he professes that he doesn’t know enough to make that decision for you.

Key takeaways:

Be a forever student, always eager to learn new things. Again, you need the servant’s heart to be a first responder. Everyone fits in best somewhere, so be educated and knowledgeable when taking this job.

Tim, Veteran, Paramedic, and Fire Chief. Works in Jackson, Ohio.

What are the skills that made you who are you today?

–Being able to perform the tasks necessary for the job is of course important.
-Once again, compassion plays a huge part in being a first responder.
-To get good at what you do, you need to teach it. Teach what you’ve been taught and you’ll get very skilled. Going through something and then teaching it will make it that much more meaningful to you.

What’s something you’re working on in your personal/business life right now?

-Managing everything as a Fire Chief is difficult. He only goes on the big calls so that’s not his issue. He needs to manage resources and his most important resource is his people. The physical and mental well-being of his men is imperative to him. They have to go on difficult calls all the time and experience death all too commonly. He’s making sure that he calls his men after they come back from a hard mission to make sure they’re doing all right and help them if they’re struggling.

What would you want to see from someone who wanted/ended up working with you?

-He needs to be able to trust them, so integrity is huge. You have to do the right thing at the right time all the time, even if no one’s around or watching you. Since they’re going into people home’s all the time, Tim wants to make sure they act correctly. He tells them to only act as they would if he were in the room with them.
-Know your job and what’s expected of you and be accountable for all your actions.
-He will only hire/promote people that he sees have excellent morals, so make sure you have everything in order if you want to work with/for him.

Would you recommend this line of work to a young leader like me?

-Tim says yes emphatically. If you’re being a leader now, you’ll do well in any of the forces. There it’s all about responsibility so take responsibility for your actions now if you’re interested at all. They face life-and-death decisions all day so they need good leaders. You won’t end up rich in worldly things but it’s one of the most fulfilling jobs you can take.

Emergency Plans

This project had me create emergency response plans for my family in the places where we spend the most time. This included our house, my job site, our church, and our vehicles. These are scenarios I’ve thought about a lot over the years, mainly as a result of the combination of my protective personality and the self-defense training I’ve done over the past ten years. Once I had created this plans I went over them with my family to spot any flaws and give everyone a good grasp on what each of them should do in the case of an emergency.

Home:

[Building Fire]: Quickly move to the nearest exit, scanning the rooms you pass for other family members who may need aid. You may only take one item with you from the house. Older three kids should be ready to carry or otherwise assist the smaller children to get out. Everyone meet in the front yard. If anyone is missing, Dad and Malachi go back inside to look while two of the other older family members check around the house. Those who own phones must try to save theirs so that someone can call 911 once safely in the yard. Treat any injuries immediately.

If the fire is small enough, grown family members may attempt to extinguish it with the fire extinguisher located under the kitchen sink.

[Intruder]: If a stranger/unwelcome intruder/hostile person enters the house or property, do your best to stay away from them while gathering together with an older family member. Raise the alarm by shouting or screaming for help. Do not stop them from taking items or performing similar actions, use that time to get away. If necessary, those of the older family members with the proper knowledge should arm themselves with either a sharp/blunt weapon or one of the home’s firearms. Do not seek confrontation but don’t hesitate to use violence if necessary. If possible allow Dad or Malachi to confront the individual in hopes of resolving the situation with the least amount of violence. As soon as someone has engaged the target, a phone owner must call 911. Any injuries should be treated as soon as it is safe.

[Natural disaster/power outage]: Upon the event of a tornado, seek shelter in the main basement bathroom. Once there, check to make sure all members of the family are accounted for. If someone is missing, one of the older family members must go out to seek for them. Treat any injuries then.

Upon the event of a power outage, keep the fridges closed unless absolutely necessary. Gather all batteries in one central location together with all devices that produce light (flashlights, lanterns, etc.). Stay together as much as possible. Check on the neighbors and establish plans with them as well.

[Entry/Exits]: No. 1 – Sliding patio door, upstairs, leads to the deck. Pros: could be forced/broken if needed; leads to the deck stairs and an easy escape from the house. Cons: only one lock=poorer security; not at ground level; dangerous if the deck is structurally compromised.

No: 2 – Front door; west side of house at the stairs landing; leads to the front yard. Pros: solid; double-lock security; weather-tight; leads to an easy and safe escape in almost any scenario; in between the two levels of the house. Cons: much harder to break out of/into; metal handle that could heat up in a fire.

No: 3 – Side door, south end of the lower level of the house, leads into the stone driveway. Pros: solid; double-lock security; and weather-tight; leads to a easy and safe exit in almost any scenario: is the natural exit for most of the house’s lower level. Cons: much harder to break into/out of; metal handle that could heat up in a fire.

No: 4 – Back door, east side of the house in the laundry room, leads onto the lower level of the deck. Pros: solid; double-lock security; weather-tight; leads to an easy exit. Cons: much harder to break into/out of; metal handle that could heat up in a fire; located in a smaller, much more cramped area making for a harder escape; dangerous exit if the deck is compromised.

[First aid]: Located in the upstairs bathroom and the downstairs main bathroom. Bandages, ointment and salve stocked in all three.

Church:

[Building Fire]: Proceed to the main exit in a calm and orderly fashion. Windows can be used if needed for smaller individuals. Children first, followed by women, then the men. Do not stop to retrieve or rescue any material possessions or items. Try to take a head count while exiting the building, take a full head count once outside. The men in the church go back to search the building in case anyone is missing. If possible, any capable persons should try to use the fire extinguisher located by the bathrooms to contain/halt/extinguish the flame. They should also grab the first-aid kit from inside the closet in the fellowship hall. Once outside select one person to call 911 and then treat any injuries.

[Intruder]: If an unwelcome/hostile intruder enters the church, the deacons or other men should confront them and ask them to leave. If they encounter a child or female first, that individual must scream for help to alert the others in the service. The men should seek to restrain and remove the individual before violence but if they become violent a similar response should be executed swiftly. If the intruder is armed, they must be neutralized immediately even if it leads to their severe bodily injury. Anyone in the church who carries a weapon according to the pastor’s allowance should be the first to act, but any male should be willing to face the threat immediately.

[Natural disaster/power outage]: In case of a tornado, gather in the utility closet or bathrooms for safety. The men should ensure that all are accounted for and grab the first aid kit.

In case of a power outage, either drive back home or gather together in one room. The water dispensers jugs can be opened and used at need.

[Entry/exits]: The main entrance is the best entrance and exit. The door to the next-door suite could be forced so that the exit in that area could be used. The windows are large enough for smaller individuals to exit without much difficulty and even larger people to squeeze through.

[First aid]: The first aid kit is located in the closet in the fellowship hall.

Work (Rittman Orchards):

[Building Fire]: In the warehouse/market: exit by the back employee entrance, the garage door, the double doors at the main customer entrance, or the side door at the very east end of the market. Try to grab the first aid kit located on the shelf nearby the office in the market and treat any injuries outside. Select one person to call 911.

[Intruder]: If unwelcome/hostile intruder enters the premises, you can either band together with coworkers to confront them, grab a sharp object as a weapon, or escape through one of the exits. Call 911 if you have a phone, otherwise find a coworker to do it for you and then contact the boss about the situation. Males should confront them if possible. Weapons include knives from the kitchen, pitchforks and other tools from the barn, and if found in the barn there are saws, an ax or a machete. If all else fails seek to hide among the trees in the property, especially toward the west side that reaches the furthest away as well as the furthest corners of the property.

[Natural disaster]: In case of a tornado, seek shelter in the bathroom or closet if you are inside the warehouse. Try to grab the first aid kit if possible and treat any wounds. If you are out in the property far from shelter, seek a low place in the ground, such as the dips between higher levels of ground toward the west side of the property. Once the storm passes, return to the warehouse to notify the others of your safety and treat any injuries.

In case of a power outage, contact the boss for instructions. The likeliest scenario is that you contact someone to take you back home and follow the instructions for a power outage at your home.

[Entry/exit] No. 1 – The employee entrance to the warehouse, located at the west side of the building, opens to a safe and easy exit. Pros: secure; weather-tight; could be forced open. Cons: only one lock, could be forced open; metal handle could heat up in a fire.

No. 2 – Garage door beside the employee entrance, opens to the same place. Pros: very large, allowing for everyone to exit at once; easy to open. Cons: has more moving parts than a door, so is likelier to fail; large and heavy to close, impossible to break into with only human powers.

No. 3 – Main customer entrances, south side of the building, two doors allowing safe and easy exit into the parking lot. Pros: easy to enter or exit; locks with a strong bolt; two doors allows for two lines of people entering or exiting; weather-tight and secure. Cons: extremely hard to break into; metal material could heat up in a fire.

No. 4 – Side door near the far north-east corner of the building, opens to a safe and easy escape. Pros: secure; weather-tight; could be forced open if needed. Cons: could be broken into easier than other doors, metal handle could heat up in a fire.

[First aid]: Located on a shelf near the the office inside the warehouse. Easy access for anyone.

Vehicles:

[Vehicle Fire]: Exit the vehicle immediately from all doors. Help the younger children out of their seats before exiting. Only grab phones and purses/bags/wallets, leave any luggage or other possessions. Move as far away from the vehicle as you can. Select one person to call 911 and treat any injuries with whatever first aid is available in purses or bags.

[Intruder]: If any stranger tries to enter the vehicle, lock all doors immediately. It is wise to keep all doors always locked while occupants remain inside. If locked doors do not deter the intruder, call the parent or guardian not present or 911. Anyone who knows how to drive should