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2 days ago

Meet the Department: Our Firefighters
As part of our "Getting to know your department" series, every week on Friday we'll introduce you to one of our firefighters. Today, we introduce you to...

Captain Chad Harvey

Captain Harvey has been with us since 2012

Q: Where are you from?
A: Sparta,IL

Q: Why did you join the fire department?
A: To help serve the people and businesses in the Community.

Q: Your favorite thing about being a firefighter?
A: Answering the call....hearing that pager go off honestly there is not another sound like it...knowing that on every call I'm working with some of the best trained individuals in the field, being a part of that doesn't get any better.

Q: The most challenging thing about being a firefighter?
A: I would have to say working a fire in the middle of summer.

Q: Complete this sentence: When I’m not firefighting, I…
A: Work full time at OKC Autobody and spend time with my family and friends.

Q: What advice would you give to someone considering becoming a volunteer firefighter?
A: Take an opportunity to visit our firehouse or one in your area and see what its all about and what the fire service has to offer. Who knows you may be answering the next call.

Q: If you were granted three wishes, what would you ask for?
A: A two story firehouse with a fire pole, an endless vacation, and 3 more wishes.

Q: What is a random fact about you?
A: I love to go pickin' old car and bike parts, signs and "junk".

Q: What is your favorite apparatus?
A: Definitely 4912 our Pumper/Rescue Truck

Q: What is your favorite tool?
A: I'd have to say the Spreaders /Jaws of life, multi purpose tool with a ton of power.

Q: What virtue of the fire service appeals to you the most?
A: Firefighters are a special breed they're honorable and dedicated.They respond selflessly and without hesitation to every call. It's just what we do its in our nature. The self sacrifice and dedication that the men and women put into the fire service as well as the dedication from our families who support what we do is amazing. That is something special that you will not find anywhere else.That is what makes the fire service what it is.

Be sure to follow along as we introduce more members of the department. If you are, or know anyone interested in being a firefighter, feel free to shoot us a message, pay us a visit during regular training hours on Monday nights, or fill out our online interest form at www.spartafire.org/join/ ...

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2 days ago

Throw Back Thursday
Sparta Firefighters assisted the Cutler Fire Department operating at the Captain Coal Shovel fire in 1991! This was the biggest rig of it's kind in the world at the time! #tbt #coalmine ...

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1 week ago

Meet the Department: Our Firefighters
As part of our "Getting to know your department" series, every week on Friday we'll introduce you to one of our firefighters. Today, we introduce you to...The Probies!

Lance Mcmurtry, Adam White, Brian Cavalier & Fred Miller

Firefighters Mcmurtry, Cavalier & Miller have been with us since last year (2018) and Firefighter White just came on this year

Q: Where are you from?
L: Sparta, Illinois
A: Good ol' Sparta
B: Sparta
F: Brooklyn, NY

Q: Why did you join the fire department?
L: To help serve my community
A: To help serve the community
B: Mr. Rogers had a statement where when bad things happen, "always look for the helpers". I have always wanted to be one of "the helpers". Also to carry on a family tradition.
F: To keep my service to this nation, state and town.

Q: Whats the hardest thing so far about being a probie?
L: Class for sure. It's a lot to take in during the course of a year, but it is valuable knowledge that I'm learning.
A: I would say just soaking in all the information that gets thrown at you.
B: The time commitment. Being a volunteer firefighter takes up extra time, but the first year is always the hardest. Second would be soaking up the information bombardment.
F: So much to learn, and wanting to learn can be overwhelming.

Q: Whats the hardest thing you've been introduced to, or learned about so far?
L: Hazmat
A: Full gear when it's 100 degrees outside
B: Hazmat
F: Takes a bit of dedication to keep focused on the priority of firefighting.

Q: What's the neatest thing you've been introduced to, or learned about so far?
L: Search & Rescue and watching our instructors from St. Louis in class.
A: All of the extrication equipment we use, especially the jaws of life.
B: Fire behavior and learning how the animal (fire) works.
F: Jaws of life and cutting the roof off a vehicle with a saws-all.

Q: Complete this sentence: When I'm not firefighting, I...
L: Am Ranching
A: Am more than likely at work.
B: Am working or at home.
F: Am either working at Sparta Lincoln or on military duty.

Q: If you were granted three wishes, what would you ask for?
L: Have a big cattle ranch in either Texas or Montana, an addition to the firehouse, more wishes.
A: More time to travel with the family, free healthcare & new equipment for all of Sparta's first responders.
B: Oh man...To have all the answers as a parent, win the lottery, happiness & success for my boys.
F: Fix the V.A., success & happiness and more wishes

Q: What is a random fact about you?
L: I own Zebras.
A: I hate onions.
B: I love photography.
F: My cousin is singer Marc Anthony.

Q: What is your favorite apparatus?
L: Ladder
A: Ladder
B: Rescue 12
F: Brush Truck

Q: What advice would you give someone considering becoming a firefighter?
L: It's a great experience. You learn so much from other knowledgeable firemen and you get to serve and protect your community.
A: Be ready to learn something new everyday and have fun while you're doing it.
B: Improve your physical fitness and always be teachable.
F: Be prepared for anything at anytime.

Be sure to follow along as we introduce more members of the department. If you are, or know anyone interested in being a firefighter, feel free to shoot us a message, pay us a visit during regular training hours on Monday nights, or fill out our online interest form at www.spartafire.org/join/ ...

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1 week ago

Throw Back Thursday
Firemen from the area gathered in the summer months in the late 1980's and early 1990's for fire musters. If you are not familiar with musters, this is Olympic games for firefighters! #tbt #firefighters #firemuster ...