By Audrey Levine Staff Writer
It was his very first call to a structure fire, and, although it came with tragedy when three lives were lost in a Manville fire in March 2007, it served to strengthen his resolve to work harder to become the best firefighter possible.
”Since I have worked with emergency medical services, I have realized that there is only so much you can do,” said Ryan Buckley, who recently finished his probationary period with Hillsborough Volunteer Fire Company No. 2. “You can’t let these events affect the way you perform your job or more people can get hurt. This situation just made me want to train more to be more proficient in my searches and other interior attack techniques.”
With the knowledge gathered from a year of training, Mr. Buckley, of Yates Drive, is moving on to a new phase of his career, as he becomes a full-fledged active firefighter with all the responsibilities of the other members of the company.
Each quarter, Hillsborough Volunteer Fire Company No. 2 honors its newest firefighters and those marking anniversaries with the company. Mr. Buckley’s achievement was noted by the fire company, along with 50-year member Ralph Nelson Sr. at its most recent announcement.
Mr. Buckley said he joined the fire company in January 2007, and began his year-long probationary period with a 12-week course at the Somerset County Emergency Services Training Academy.
David Raymond, chairman of the membership committee, has said that this Firefighter 1 course teaches skills for fighting fires and working with the different equipment on the trucks.
According to Mr. Buckley, however, he was still expected to be at the firehouse for any necessary chores while attending the class.
”I was expected to help down at the firehouse by checking the trucks and equipment, and help doing our chores around the station,” he said. “Once I completed fire school, I was allowed to assist on scenes and perform the responsibilities of a firefighter.”
Mr. Buckley said being part of the fire company gives him the opportunity to follow in his father’s footsteps.
”I became involved with the fire company when I was 10 years old when my father, (Pat Buckley) joined in June of 1996,” he said. “I have always been interested in the fire service and, since a young age, I have been helping with the truck checks and doing little things around the station.”
The work itself was no longer foreign territory to Mr. Buckley, who said he decided he wanted to join the company with his father once he saw the firefighters at work.
To begin his experience, and because he could not join the fire company until he was 18 years old, Mr. Buckley said he joined the Hillsborough Rescue Squad at 16 years old.
”I went through Emergency Medical Training (EMT) school during my junior years of high school and earned my EMT certification,” he said.
Mr. Buckley said it is not just him and his father involved in rescue work. His girlfriend, Liz Mikaliunas, works with the Branchburg Rescue Squad.
”My family has basically become accustomed to the constant noise of pagers and scanners in the house,” he said. “They are aware of the dangers and responsibilities of the job, so it can be hard sometimes.”
Mr. Buckley, who has lived in Hillsborough since 1994, said understanding the time commitment of being a firefighter is the most important advice he can give to anyone wanting to join the company.
”Make sure you become aware of the time commitment involved, especially during probation and fire school,” he said. “Other than that, it’s a great experience and a privilege to be part of the brotherhood.”
Hillsborough fire companies depend on volunteers like Mr. Buckley to complete their mission. For more information on becoming a volunteer firefighter, contact one of the fire companies: Woods Road Fire Company, 359-3333 or hillsboroughfire3.orgflagtownfd.comhillsboroughfireco2.com.
