Fire Department and Emergency Medical Services Appreciation

Not everyone in the Monroe Fire and EMS Department has relation by their sides on calls, but a lot of the volunteers do. Generations of families have served and continue to serve both the fire and EMS sectors, continuing the strong tradition the departments have built.

“If you look at current members, you could trace a family member, most of us,” Sean Wilson said.

A lot of the current members can rattle off grandpas and uncles, brothers and cousins that have served or still serve on the department. The strong family ties keep consistency and continuity in the department, along with long-serving members who make putting their lives on the line for others a part of their lives.

PCM graduate Sam Munson said he had a lot of family in the department and felt he needed to continue to serve.

“My grandpa was on the department and I kind of felt an obligation,” Munson said.

Munson is not the only member who knew he was going to be a part of the organization because of the strong family ties in place.

“A lot of family background. Sam, his uncle, grandpa, cousins, just several members were on the department. The Jenkins family, we have to buy them a minivan to get them here. The other day I had four of them on one call,” Monroe Fire Chief Rob Wilson said. “The Van Ryswyk family, Malone family, Van Baale, my (Wilson) family. My grandfather was on the fire department, my father, brother and more relation.”

While there is a lot of family within the department, it is not a prerequisite to become a member. Wilson said there are plenty of people on the fire and EMS that joined for many other reasons.

“Not that it is a family thing. We’ve got great department members that don’t have any history. But hopefully they can install that history and it continues to move on,” Wilson said.

The continued success of the department, along with the faithful members, is thanks to the strong community support. Without the town coming together to fill the organization’s needs, it wouldn’t be able to fulfill its duties at the highest standard.

“As far as our success, that is why we are successful because our community is so supportive of us. Our community is so supportive of us when we need anything,” Wilson said. “I remember the days when we didn’t have money and we had to do fundraisers to try to earn funds to buy equipment. Now, the community comes a knocking.”

The departments try to give back, too, through participating in community events and being present to citizens.

“We’re pretty involved. Any time there is an event we like to be well represented and do our part. That is the organization part of the department where we volunteer our time and people. Going to football games, school events, stay present,” Munson said.

Like most volunteer departments, more members are always welcome. Monroe has been in the position for many years with a strong, stable and experienced staff.

“We are blessed to have people that respond to calls and do what they need to do. We’re fortunate,” Wilson said.