Volunteer Spotlight: Ken McMahon

Name: Ken McMahon
Title: Chief Emeritus
Department Name: Christiana Fire Company
Location: Bear, DE

Why are you an NVFC member?
To help and share ideas and good practices throughout the country with colleagues that I have met through the Council and my other endeavors.

What is your occupation?
I am a retired oil refinery worker and also served on Shell Oil’s national hazmat team.

Why are you a volunteer firefighter, EMT, or rescue provider?
I joined my department 45 years ago to help those that are in need.

What year did you join the fire or emergency services?
1973

What are your memorable moments as a firefighter or EMS provider?
Any time we have saved a life, and the time at the refinery that we had four people who succumbed to a hydrogen sulfide leak and were not breathing on my arrival. We managed to do CPR on them and they all survived.

What contributions have you (and your department) made in your community?
As our department grew over my 45 years, we continued to grow with it and provide the needed services such as building two sub-stations to better cover our area. When I joined we had approximately 300 total runs; last year we responded to over 10,000 EMS runs and 3,900 fires.

Interested in serving your community? Find volunteer fire service opportunities at www.MakeMeAFirefighter.org.