This is a story about the firefighters who look after the neighborhood each day. These firefighters see their station as much more than a workplace. It’s where friendships grow over shared meals, where laughter fills the kitchen before the next call, and where teamwork and trust turn into family. They don’t just serve the neighborhood; they’re part of it, showing up every day with dedication, pride, and a genuine love for the community they call home.

Name: Jason Hayes

Rank: Sergeant

27 years in the fire service 

I’ve always been drawn to helping people and being part of something bigger than myself. The fire service combines teamwork, problem-solving, and the chance to make a real difference in people’s lives on their worst days. I remember driving by a volunteer fire department and saw their marquee sign with “What would you do if you called for help and no one showed up?” So that’s when I decided to start as a volunteer in the fire service.

 What’s your favorite part of a typical shift?

My favorite part is the camaraderie. Every shift feels like working with family; we train together, eat together, and have each other’s backs on calls. There’s a strong sense of purpose and teamwork that makes even the toughest days rewarding. It doesn’t even feel like working. The mornings with the outgoing and ongoing crews are always a great start to the day 

I’ve learned the importance of staying calm and having patience under pressure. Over the years, dealing with various situations on emergency calls with composure taught me that a clear mind and good communication are key to keeping everyone safe and getting the job done.

Almost anything Italian, I'll admit, I use Pinterest for various recipes to use. Plus, when we start prepping and cooking for dinner, the crew gathers in the kitchen to help and talk throughout the kitchen. A very close second is steak Sunday, something on our crew at the Norton Commons station, we've done for four years now.

Name: Jon Barr

Rank: Captain

Years as a Firefighter: 26 years

For me, it started with just wanting to do something that mattered. I’ve always been drawn to helping people, and firefighting seemed like one of those rare jobs where your work has a real impact every single day. Early on, I saw the difference firefighters make in people’s lives, and I knew that was the kind of work I wanted to be part of. Over the years, that’s grown into much more than just responding to calls. It’s about the teamwork, the brotherhood, and the sense of purpose that comes with it. I’ve been fortunate to work alongside some incredible people who care deeply about the job and each other, and that’s shaped how I lead and train others now. I take a lot of pride in helping newer firefighters grow, passing on what I’ve learned, and making sure we operate safely and professionally. At the end of the day, being a firefighter is about service, integrity, and family. It’s not just a career, it’s who I am.

What really stands out to me about working at Norton Commons is the community. The people here genuinely care about their fire station and the crews that serve them. You see it in how they wave when we’re out, stop by to say hello, or bring their kids in to see the trucks. There’s a small-town feel even though the area’s growing fast; people still look out for each other, and that makes a difference.

I think most people would be surprised by how much of our job isn’t actually fighting fire. A lot of folks picture us running into burning buildings all day, but the truth is, most of what we do is medical runs, problem-solving, and just helping people through whatever kind of day they’re having. Another thing people don’t realize is just how much time we spend training. We put in hundreds of hours every year running drills, going over scenarios, working on our medical skills, and getting comfortable with new equipment. All that time is what makes everything come together when it really counts. It’s an exciting and physical job, but it’s also a people job. There’s a lot of teamwork, repetition, and compassion behind the scenes that most folks never see, and that’s what makes it so rewarding.

What’s kept me passionate all these years is the people, both the ones I work with and the ones at home who support me. You can be having the worst day, and your crew will find a way to turn it around. The camaraderie, the teamwork, and that sense of family in the firehouse make even the tough days worth it. I’ve also got a great support system at home. My wife’s been incredible through all the long hours and missed holidays, and my older son just graduated from the fire academy this past January and is now a career firefighter. My younger son’s still in high school, but already volunteering and focused on following the same path. These days, what really keeps me going is helping develop that same passion in the next generation, whether it’s my own sons or the newer members coming up through the ranks. It’s an amazing feeling to get that call from someone you’ve worked with, and they tell you they used a skill or tactic you trained on during an emergency and that they felt confident and prepared. That overwhelming sense of pride knowing they were ready because of the hours of preparation, the aggravation, and the failed attempts that finally paid off that’s what makes it all worth it. Between my family, my crew, and that feeling of seeing others succeed, it’s easy to stay passionate about this job.

Name: Jordan Salyer

Rank: Firefighter

Years as a Firefighter: 3 years

I grew up with a dad in law enforcement, and I got to hear his amazing stories every day of how he helped people. I knew from the beginning I wanted that same purpose and satisfaction with what I do as a career, too. You can’t become a cop until you are 21, so I began volunteer firefighting at 18 and absolutely fell in love with the job. I knew at that moment this was what I wanted to do.

Honestly, my biggest challenge has been getting this job; it's a very competitive field with a lot of great people. After getting turned down twice by other places, I finally found my home here. At first, imposter syndrome felt very real for me until I realized I truly am a great fit for this job and couldn’t imagine doing anything else.

Most of my time off duty is spent working at my side job or spending time with my wife and stepson. If I’m not doing either one of those things, you could find me at the gym.

You always hear about the “Brotherhood/Sisterhood” of this job, but most people like me never really knew what that meant until I became a part of it. It genuinely means that these people you work with become family, you spend a third of your life with them, and in most cases, more than that. You can go from the highest of highs and lowest of lows with the people you work with, and not one of them judges you; it's a different form of relationship than most, and oftentimes stronger.

Joseph “Tony” Barnes

Firefighter

10 as a volunteer, 9 as a paid career firefighter

I've worked several jobs in my life, from labor, retail, restaurant service, all the way through to sales. Nothing ever really provided a sense of purpose or accomplishment from any of those fields for me. I looked into law enforcement and even the military. Then a friend and coworker of mine suggested I meet with her father, who was the Chief of Camp Taylor Fire,

to discuss volunteering. I did precisely that. Once I got my feet underneath me and began to experience what that job entailed, I knew I needed to figure out a way to make the fire service my only, full-time career. It checked all my metaphorical boxes.

The obvious, honest answer provides the sense of purpose I was seeking. Also, I’m employed in an exciting, fulfilling role alongside some of your best friends. I didn’t grow up having brothers, so I couldn’t ask for a better family addition.

This one is easy. Table time. Whether it be starting a shift, meal times, incident discussion, or ending the shift, the banter and general conversation that takes place when everyone is together around a firehouse kitchen table is therapy that can't be reproduced in any other field.

Don’t skimp on prevention or preparation. Buy good smoke detectors. Buy reliable carbon monoxide detectors. Have a working fire extinguisher in multiple places in your home. Buy the roll-up ladders for escaping upper floors. Just as important, have an escape plan with two ways out and a meeting place outside. Leave the firefighter to us.