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Firefighter lives his childhood dream

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Jeremy Larlee
  • Air Force News Agency
PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. (AFNEWS) --  One young child looked forward to his summer vacations because it meant he got to visit his favorite place in the world -- a fire station.

The boy would spend the majority of his visits with his grandparents at a fire station where his grandfather worked as a firefighter chief. He loved everything about the life from the smell of the fire house to the close bond of the firefighters. He would often dream of following his grandfather and father, a firefighter captain, into the brotherhood.

After graduating from high school, the young man learned he could serve his nation as a firefighter for the Air Force. Eighteen years and six bases later, Master Sgt. Mark Smurda is teaching the newest generation of Air Force firefighters the family business as the training officer for the Peterson AFB fire department.

"Being a firefighter is very task oriented," he said. "Teamwork is everything and you have to be confident that your co-workers have you covered."

The sergeant, who grew up in Follansbee W.V., said he feeds off the enthusiasm of the young Airmen. He said he thinks of them as sponges who need to be filled with all of the knowledge that he and the other veteran firefighters possess.

One of those sponges is Airman Brandon McGath, who joined the team in January. He said everybody at work has been very helpful and he is learning the ropes from the best professionals in the Air Force. He said Sergeant Smurda is a great trainer to learn from.

"He is good at explaining stuff so that it is easily understandable," Airman McGath said. "He is very hands on and very patient in helping you learn what you need to know."

There is plenty of real-world work to keep the firefighters busy. They also pitch in to help on the civilian side of the flightline and throughout the nearby community of Colorado Springs, Colo.

The firefighters also keep in contact with other local firefighters by exchanging information and tactics. Sergeant Smurda said he learns something new every day.

"I have been a firefighter for almost 20 years and one constant is that the tactics and strategy are always changing and the technology is improving," he said.

The sergeant said that even though he sees the end of his military career quickly approaching, he believes firefighting will always be part of his existence. He said the friendships he has made on the job cannot compare to any others he has had in his life.

"When you spend 24 hours working with someone, that happens," he said. "It is great to do for a living what I loved as a kid. I am lucky to be able to serve my country and community as a firefighter." 

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