Other than being a sports fan, college student, dog lover, one aspect of my life that I believe separates me from the norm is that I was a volunteer firefighter all throughout high school and will continue to be one when I return home from college. Being from a teeny tiny town in New Jersey (Millington) there is not much to do so I had to get out of my bubble to find my community. My older brother had been a member at Millington Volunteer Fire Company for about 2 years and he recommended that come to an information session. I never felt that I would join the company because I was heading into high school and I felt that I was going to be busy with school, sports, and hanging out with friends. Looking back now I truly believe that gouging to this interest meeting was one of my best decisions. Over the past 3-4 years I have contributed to my local community through the fire department and feel like I have found a second home. One of my favorite contributions as a firefighter occurred on a cold January morning. Our very town rarely has house fires, so I was surprised when we were dispatched to a residence. Arriving on scene, I saw the home engulfed in flames. I pulled multiple hoses off the firetruck and connected one to a hydrant nearby. Together, two firefighters and I set up a 36’ ladder while the house was burning so firefighters could access the roof. The fire was eventually extinguished, and I was thankful to contribute to my community while learning how to be courageous and working in an organized team. Another favorite aspect of mine is the charity/fundraiser work we do in the town. For example during Christmas our department runs a fundraiser called “Firefighter Santa” where our members drive around in the fire trucks and deliver Christmas gifts to little children in the surrounding towns. It is truly a joy to see the children’s happiness when Santa arrives in a big red firetruck with sirens blaring, bearing gifts. Dressed as a firefighter with an elf hat, I kneel to the children’s eye level to give them candy canes. Bringing this special joy unlocks a wonderful memory of when I was young and excited to receive gifts from Firefighter Santa (from the same department I am in now).