Ryan Jackson, 41, and his son, Chase Jackson, 17, share a love of fighting fires and the camaraderie found at Brookhaven Fire Company. They both began volunteering at age 14 as junior firefighters.
“Growing up around the guys and seeing the brotherhood made me want to join,” said Chase. “There’s a whole other family at the firehouse.”
Although his dad, Ryan, didn’t grow up in a firefighting family, he always felt a pull to emergency services. He loved fire trucks as a kid and knew some police officers, who served as mentors to him in high school. After graduating, he attended the police academy and currently works as a police officer for Upper Providence Township.
“Chase was always begging me to take him to the firehouse,” said Ryan. He passed along his love of helping others to Chase, and also to his daughter, Brooke, 19, who is attending nursing school.
Chase is in his junior year at Sun Valley High School, and loves being able to volunteer and answer calls with his friends. This summer, he’ll be training for his Firefighter I certification, so when he turns 18, he can transition to an active firefighter and enter burning buildings.
“I’m looking forward to him experiencing some of the same things that I did,” said Ryan. “I enjoy watching him grow up at the firehouse. It’s a proud dad moment for me.”
They love being able to answer calls together and help their community.
“To see the guy you grow up with be a firefighter, and then to actually start doing it with him, is pretty awesome,” says Chase, who hopes to pursue a career as a paid firefighter.
Volunteering at Brookhaven Fire Company can open doors to emergency service careers. The fire company provides gear and training opportunities to members that allow them to earn advanced certifications.
“You learn a lot of life skills and you’re always sharpening them, whether it be for rescues, fires, using your hands, and a lot of physical fitness, too,” said Ryan.
“Try it out,” encouraged Chase. “If you don’t like it, you don’t like it, but at least you tried.”
Brookhaven Fire Company is seeking volunteer firefighters and junior firefighters to join its team. Visit www.JoinBrookhavenFire.org to learn more or fill out an inquiry form.
