193. Call Home; Because They Don't Know - John Lewis

A "Jersey Guy", John Lewis was all in from an early age. Emulating his Father and older Brother, John knew he wanted to be a firefighter. Joining the volunteer department at an early age set the stage for his love of the job. Soon after, John was hired in a small department in NJ where he was exposed to plenty of work. Many memorable jobs were made but one in particular still stands out. John was caught in a flashover while trying to rescue a civilian during a structural fire. As his gear caught fire, John had to bail out leaving the victim behind. A difficult decision that could've been life ending for himself as well. Learning how to cope with this was certainly a challenging part of the job. An important leader at the time pushed John to teach and talk about his experience. As he became more comfortable with speaking and sharing, the training route became easier. Changing departments due to layoffs, John now found himself in an urban department and promoting upward. His experiences were put to the test when his own department suffered a LODD and his know how and experience helped the department at their lowest time. John's influence and organic love for the fire service made him relatable to both the young and old and his demeanor made him a standout to many entry level firefighters on the academy grounds. His influence can be felt near and far. No longer riding apparatus, John is still involved with teaching and spreading the good word. His contribution to the fire service has been instrumental in moving the dial on today's fire service.