J. Cody Lewis’ full load consists of being a student at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and interning with the Tennessee Valley Authority.
And now, the 19-year-old is looking to add one more thing to his responsibility list: becoming a firefighter with the Highway 58 Volunteer Fire Department.
“It’s difficult, but it all kind of falls into place,” he said of his responsibilities. “Whenever you’ve got a heart for something, you can make time for it.”
Lewis is one of 32 future volunteer firefighters participating in Hamilton County Emergency Services’ annual basic fire training program, which began in 1988.
HOW TO HELPContact your local fire department to offer a donation or to inquire about becoming a volunteer firefighter.COUNTY VOLUNTEER DEPARTMENTS* Dallas Bay* Flat Top* Highway 58* Mowbray Mountain* Sale Creek* Sequoyah* Tri-Community* Chattanooga-Hamilton County Rescue* Hamilton County Hazardous Materials Team* Special Tactics and Rescue Services* Volunteer State Water Rescue* Waldens Ridge Emergency Services
“This is the largest class by far that we have ever had,” said Amy Maxwell, the county’s emergency services spokeswoman. “They’re putting their lives on the line for free, and that’s something you can’t put a price on.”
Many of the students – who meet two to three times a week for about 10 months – have families, jobs and schooling outside of studying and attending classes to become volunteer firefighters. Some of the reasons they choose to volunteer are helping their respective communities, bonding with friends and family members who also want to be firefighters and possibly to start careers in public service, said Rip Rohen, a Hamilton County fire captain.
“The national trend is volunteers are going down,” he said, emphasizing how grateful he is for this year’s large class. “We’re blessed.”
The program prepares students for all the mental and physical aspects – putting out all types of fire, saving people, basic medical care and various other items – that the state requires every firefighter know, Rohen said.
He said money for up-to-date equipment, vehicles and facilities takes up all the departments’ funding, and that is why the county is unable to pay firefighters, unlike Chattanooga’s paid fire department.
“Every fire department in Hamilton County is volunteer,” he said. “A lot of people do not know that.”
The enrollment total from this year’s volunteer class includes 31 men and one woman.
“I want to show that women can pretty much do the same things (as men),” said 19-year-old Katy Mooney, who will be volunteering with the Flat Top Volunteer Fire Department upon graduation.
Mooney said she has been helping the department already with basic upkeep, but is excited to assist people outside the fire station upon receiving her firefighter certification.
“I’m just looking forward to getting out there and helping our little community that we have and do what I can,” she said.