Hohl trains to be a firefighter

Published: September 15, 2008

For this week of Howell Highlights we interviewed Firefighter-in-training extraordinaire Darren Hohl.

NS: So how did you get involved in this profession?

DH: Well, my dad, who’s a firefighter,told me about the Explorer program so i thought I’d give it a try.

NS: Cool, well what exactly do explorers have to do?

DH: We have weekly meetings we have to go through, and there’s basic training which we have pass to be able to ride in the fire trucks.

NS: Are you able to ride in the trucks?

DH: Yeah i passed basic training.

NS: Nice! So what was your first experience with a real fire like?

DH: It was at fire school and we had to go in this fake house where they set up fire in the back corner of the house. I was behind the guy with the nozzle so i had to keep the hose steady. I remember it was really hot, not that scary, and really short.

NS: Have you ever feared for you life while on the job?

DH: No, I’ve always been with a real firefighter and i know they know what they’re doing.

NS: What would you say the strangest call you’ve ever taken is?

DH: It was actually my first call and we got a report of a mailbox on fire and when we pulled it was smoking so I got out a water extinguisher a put it out. Then out of nowhere this guy walked up and said “Well I guess I can’t use my mailbox!” and then he just walked away.

NS: Do you plan to this as a job in the future?
DH: Yeah i plan to pursue this profession.

NS: What would you say the best part of the job is?
DH: I’d say the best part is that it gives me a sense of satisfaction that I’m putting myself in harms way to help others.

NS: In movies and TV they always make it seem that there’s this huge camaraderie among firefighters is that true?
DH: Yeah its true, sometimes it’s hard to tell but these guys really do care about each other. They all know each other families and just have a certain respect for each other.

NS: One last question; is being a firefighter anything like FX’s hit dramedy “Rescue Me”?
DH: No, it’s nothing like that (laughs).

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