Volunteer Spotlight: Les Whalen

Name: Les Whalen
Title: Fire Chief
Department: Williamstown Volunteer Fire Department
Location: Williamstown, KY

Why are you an NVFC member?
The numerous networking opportunities and the voice the NVFC brings to our membership. I enjoy the many training opportunities which have been made available to myself and our department over the years.

What is your occupation?
Fire chief

Why are you a fire service volunteer?
Service to our community and residents we serve; to mentor to our staff and younger upcoming firefighters and to support their families daily.

What year did you join the fire or emergency service?
1992

What are your memorable moments as a firefighter or EMS provider?
Having a child come up to me and said, “Chief Les, you saved our family from the stuff you taught us during Fire Prevention Week,” after his family had a fire in their home. Ensuring that these kids knew the importance of smoke detectors and knowing what to do when it went off made a difference in the outcome and was one of those days which brought goose bumps to me and even a tear maybe.

What contributions have you (and your department) made in your community?
We continue to serve our community as our forefathers did when they established this department in 1892. I seek grant opportunities to better our department whenever possible to make us prepared to serve and protect.

I ensure that our department members can receive the best PPE, equipment, and gear available and to be protected by also having the best training, which NVFC offers so many opportunities to me and them on an ongoing basis.

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