IU Students, Bloomington firefighters find camaraderie at fire station

A major part of college is getting involved in activities, making new friends and finding a niche. Fire Chief Faron Livingston said he has a whole drawer full of IU-affiliated volunteers who have found their niche at the Bloomington Township Department of Fire and Emergency Services. \nFifteen students and staff members currently volunteer as firefighters at the station, located at 5081 N. Old State Road 37. \nWhile volunteering at the fire house is exciting and a great way to meet people, it is definitely a time commitment, said Mike Schwandt, a staff member at the Jacobs School of Music.\n“I thought about it 20 years ago and never had time,” Schwandt said. “I came out here a couple of years ago and thought I should try it. It’s great. I love it.”\nEach volunteer decides how much time they want to \ncontribute. \n“It’s not your average community service project,” senior Jared Sloane said. “You have to put your life into it.”\nIn order to do their job properly, volunteers need to have hands-on training in addition to studying in a classroom setting. A major part of hands-on training will now take place in the new burn building, dedicated last weekend. \nThe burn building allows the volunteers to simulate several different environments that a firefighter could run into, said volunteer and IU alumnus Michael Geraghty, the open house coordinator. \nA four-story building, the burn tower is equipped to provide a training atmosphere best able to prepare volunteers. Complete with burn plates and moveable walls, the tower is so new that the red paint rubs off a bit when pushing open the doors. \nIncluding the building, labor and other facets, the burn building was about a $500,000 investment, said Nancy Brinegar, Bloomington Township trustee. The township was able to pay for the tower without raising taxes through careful planning over five years. \nBecause of her heavy involvement, the tower is named in honor of Brinegar.\n“It’s truly a community project here,” Brinegar said. “We’ve worked so hard to get this done.” \nHaving the burn tower is an important part of firefighter education, Livingston said. It is also important that student volunteers keep with their studies, he said. \n“It’s great to love fire fighting, but you have to have a strong head on your shoulders to make those important decisions and that starts with an education,” Livingston said.\nHis son was involved with the fire department while attending classes at IU. Livingston said his son often wondered why he would need an education to become a firefighter.\nDuring one of their conversations on his studies, his son said he would never need chemistry. Livingston pointed out the need for a grounding in chemistry when dealing with hazardous materials. His son asked, what about biology? Livingston responded that he would need biology and anatomy as an emergency medical technician. His son finally asked why he would need math to work as a firefighter. Livingston told him, when you have 150 pounds of pressure going up a steep grade and you have to determine the pounds per square inch of pressure the water exerts on a fire hose, then you definitely need math.\nModern firefighters need to equip themselves with knowledge as well as skills, Livingston said.\nHe is clear on the fact that the department is not a club, but it is a place that students can trust. \n“It’s their home away from home,” Livingston said. “These students are the people who will be taking my spot. It’s my responsibility to teach them right.”