Volunteer Spotlight: Tom Kearney

Name: Tom Kearney
Title: Firefighter
Department: Buskirk Volunteer Fire Department
Location: Buskirk, NY

Why are you an NVFC member?
NVFC offers many training services. Most important to me is the peer exchange facilitated through NVFC. It is very valuable to access information directly from colleagues involved in peer exchange.

What is your occupation?
Retired

Why are you a fire service volunteer?
Delivering fire protection services to the community and surrounding areas is of utmost importance. As a retiree from USDOT, I am available for services Monday through Friday during daytime hours when many of our members are out of the area at work. I view my role in a volunteer fire department as one of the most important and fulfilling things I’ve ever done.

What year did you join the fire or emergency service?
2023

What are your memorable moments as a firefighter or EMS provider?
Consoling a mother as she lost her six-year-old son to RSV.

What contributions have you (and your department) made in your community?
Effectively delivering our personal and property protection services to the community. We have addressed structure fire calls, wildland fire calls, and traffic control at motor vehicle scenes at all hours of the day and all days of the week.

Interested in serving your community? Find volunteer fire service opportunities at https://makemeafirefighter.org/.