Meet Ethan Hutchinson | Junior First Responder Friday

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Meet Ethan Hutchinson, 13, a junior first responder with Lafayette Fire Company in Lancaster, PA.  Ethan dreams of becoming a firefighter like his dad, who’s a fire chief. On his way to achieving his career goal, Ethan participated in our Junior First Responder Cadet Camp last summer and learned fun firefighting skills from firefighters at the station!

“It’s always important to help people,” Ethan said, “because you can really make someone’s day.”

Ethan, when did you know that you wanted to be a firefighter?

I’ve known I wanted to be a firefighter since I was about 6 or 7 years old. My dad is one and he would always take me to the station to see the trucks and I thought it was so cool.

Tell us more about your father…

My dad was a firefighter for a few departments in Lancaster, PA. He started in Lancaster City in 2005 and worked his way up the chain of command. He was the battalion chief for a few years before he recently got promoted to fire chief.

Did he inspire you to want to be a firefighter?

When I was young my dad would always take me to the station. For my birthday he drove us around the fire station in the fire engine. I just love the trucks and riding in them.

What was it like having a first responder parent growing up?

It was very restless at nights when my dad would have to go in for a fire, especially if it was a really big fire and they asked for more people. So, you got scared every once in a while every time he had to go in. Nights you miss him, because he is always gone.

Is there a specific fire station where you want to work?

When I’m older and 18 I want to join the live-in program at Ocean City. We go there for the beach and I love it there and their live-in program looks really good. I want to be by the beach!

Last summer you participated in the First Responders Children’s Foundation Cadet Camp. What was your favorite part of the program?

My favorite part was when you would take a hose line and put out the fake fire in the house, but my second favorite part was probably the water rescue station. You have to throw the rope bags to the dummies and try and hook them with the rope. We also got to learn about the boats that Garden Spot Fire Rescue has.

Why do you think it’s important for everyone to help people?

It’s important, because it makes you feel good and people can really get help from you if you know what you’re doing, and you can really make someone’s day. Even if it’s just responding to them having heart problems, or a sick person, you can really make someone’s day when you help them.

 

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